International agreements

The deep ocean is increasingly recognized as a major global reservoir of the Earth's biodiversity, although but a small fraction of the oceans' ecosystems found at depths below 200 meters have been studied. This report presents findings on the current extent, location and value of high seas bottom trawl fisheries worldwide and the countries involved. It reviews the current governance of high seas bottom trawl fishing, including the standards and obligations established in several relevant instruments.

Biosafety and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are amongst the most complex of biodiversity issues: from species conservation, to sustainable livelihoods, to socio-cultural policy. The greatest GMO-related need shared by all decision-makers - governmental, civil society, and industrial - is for unbiased background information and a framework for evaluating new evidence.

The Draft Covenant is a blueprint for an international framework (or umbrella) agreement consolidating and developing existing legal principles related to environment and development. Since the publication of the second edition in 2000, there have been important developments in the field of international environmental law. This revised edition takes account of these changes, following a review of important new treaties and soft law documents, including the Johannesburg Declaration and Plan of Implementation.

The CITES handbook has been compiled to provide for the Parties to CITES and others who are interested the most essential texts fo the implementation of the Convention in one single reference book. It comprises the text of the Convention, Appendices I and II, Appendix III, the standard CITES export/import permit - re-export certificate, the Resolutions and the Decisions of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in effect after the 12th meeting (Santiago, 2002)

The CITES handbook has been compiled to provide for the Parties to CITES and others who are interested the most essential texts fo the implementation of the Convention in one single reference book. It comprises the text of the Convention, Appendices I and II, Appendix III, the standard CITES export/import permit - re-export certificate, the Resolutions and the Decisions of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in effect after the 12th meeting (Santiago, 2002)

The aims of the workshop were to enhance individual and institutional capacity to : address the environmental aspects of trade issues that will arise as a result of China’s WTO membership; participate in WTO negotiations and develop proactive positions in the WTO; implement the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and improve the implementation of CITES; and increase local and national support for the integration of trade, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.