No. 30619 MULTILATERAL Convention on biological diversity (with annexes). Concluded at Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992 Authentic texts: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Registered ex officio on 29 December 1993. MULTILATERAL Convention sur la diversité biologique (avec annexes). Con- clue a Rio de Janeiro le 5 juin 1992 Textes authentiques : arabe, chinois, anglais, frangais, russe et espagnol. Enregistrée d’office le 29 décembre 1993.983 United Nations — Treaty Series Nations Unie — Recueil des Traits us CONVENTION’ ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY Preamble The Contracting Parties. Conscious of the intrinsic value of biological diversity and of the ecological, genetic, social. economic, scientific. educational. cultural Fecreational and aesthetic values | of iological diversity and ite ‘components. Conscious aiso of the importance of biological diversity for evolution and for saintaining life sustaining systens of the biosphere. AfCirming that the conservation of biological diversity 1s a common concern of bunankind, Reaffirming that States have sovereign rights over their own biological resources. * Cane ino feo 29 December 1953, the ninth ay ale the date of deo with he Secretary Gener ofthe Unted Nations the tit instr’ of team aca, appeal eases hacen wh facie 36 “fe norm "snare ‘hy ‘cow Dest Barb March 938 mens ay a iBaamne 3 September 13 Bele ss Stpember 935 Burkina Fao, Ca Marsal sane Mexico Monet New Zea Paps Now Gains Meee Sain Luss Stone. Tens Usd Zant aNations Unie — Recueil des Traits 1983 United Nations — Treaty Series Reaffirming also that States are responsible for conserving their biological diversity and for using their biological resources in a sustainable manner. Concerned that biological diversity is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. Aware of the general lack of information and knowledge regarding biological diversity and of the urgent’ need to develop scientific, technical and institutional capacities to provide the basic understanding upon wilich to plan and Implement appropriate measures, Noting that it is vital to anticipate. prevent and attack the causes of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity at source. Noting also that where there 1s a threat of significant reduetion or loss of biological diversity. lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or minimize such a threat, Noting further that the fundamental! requirement for the conservation of biological diversity 1s the in-situ conservation of ecosystens and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surrounding! “i Suet he Cetin came at os oe he loving Contatitg Pais the nt ay afer the ‘escent, im aconlan witha 13, Danse aro Papp ee tw is a ary Ty cee Nan sen 12 November 993 TW cc ay Ty Wiican 5 Fay Hy . OM Pe oe vnc Scum 193.44 {Wh fot rom # Mah aos Lo December 193 Tt eo rom i Mart 588) seen, Daca 193 Tiwi creo i ach isc 37 Mach * {Winesot rom 31 Mark 88) as ‘smmany 21 December 1993 ‘at ef en 31 Mach dy Pore 21 December 1953 Wi crea 3 a smn "Wie 3 Mar i ‘Scepter thefts ofthe dccaratons made upon ratfcaton or appa 21 December 1998