Convention on Biological Diversity

Welcomes the results of the 3rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Buenos Aires from 4-15 Nov. 1996; takes note of the ongoing work and the international cooperation to date towards fulfilling the objectives of the Convention, the decision of the Conference of the Parties and, inter alia, the initiative taken on holding workshops, including the workshop on traditional knowledge and biological diversity; further takes note of the work carried out at the 3rd meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety, Montreal, Canada, 13-17 Oct. 1997; recognizes that States parties to the Convention have agreed to provide additional financial resources for the implementation of the Convention; renews its appreciation for the work being carried out towards enhancing cooperation with the Commission on Sustainable Development and biodiversity-related conventions; recognizes the importance of the implementation of the Convention at all levels; notes that the 1st national reports by States parties to the Convention are due to be submitted to the secretariat of the Convention no later than 1 Jan. 1998, calls upon Member States to meet that requirement; also notes the clarification of the administrative arrangements regarding the respective roles of UNEP and the secretariat of the Convention in respect of personnel and financial matters; calls upon States parties to the Convention to settle urgently any arrears and to pay their contributions in full and in a timely manner.

Adopted without vote, 77th meeting

3 p.

Adopted at the 77th plenary meeting, 18 Dec. 1997.