What Is 1992 Rio Convention on Biodiversity

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1992 Rio Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as the CBD, was adopted on June 5, 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and entered into force on December 29, 1993. It has been ratified by 196 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted international environmental agreements.

Key Facts

Adopted on June 5, 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
Entered into force on December 29, 1993, after 50 ratifications
Has been ratified by 196 countries (as of 2023)
Established three main goals: conserve biodiversity, sustainable use, and fair benefit-sharing
Led to the 2010 adoption of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Overview

The 1992 Rio Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a landmark international treaty designed to address the accelerating loss of biological diversity worldwide. Opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, it marked a turning point in global environmental governance.

Unlike earlier agreements focused narrowly on species protection, the CBD introduced a comprehensive framework for conserving ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. It emphasized national sovereignty over biological resources while promoting equitable sharing of benefits from their use, especially concerning biotechnology and traditional knowledge.

196 parties have ratified the CBD, making it one of the most widely accepted environmental treaties, with only the United States having signed but not ratified it.
The convention was adopted on June 5, 1992, and officially entered into force on December 29, 1993, following the 50th ratification.
It established three primary objectives: conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
The CBD was the first to formally recognize the role of indigenous and local communities in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
It created a framework for national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), requiring each party to develop and implement tailored conservation policies.

How It Works

The CBD operates through a combination of legally binding obligations, voluntary commitments, and international cooperation mechanisms. It functions via regular Conferences of the Parties (COPs) where member nations review progress, adopt decisions, and negotiate additional protocols.

Conference of the Parties (COP): The governing body of the CBD meets every two to three years to assess progress, set priorities, and adopt decisions. The first COP was held in 1994 in The Hague, Netherlands.
Cartagena Protocol (2000): This supplementary agreement addresses biosafety, regulating the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.
Nagoya Protocol (2010): This protocol ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, including access to traditional knowledge and technology transfer.
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): Each party must develop and implement these plans to translate global goals into national policy and action.
Global Environment Facility (GEF): Serves as the financial mechanism for the CBD, providing grants to developing countries for biodiversity projects.
Scientific and Technical Body (SBSTTA): Provides independent scientific advice to the COP, helping shape evidence-based policy decisions.

Comparison at a Glance

Several international agreements address environmental issues, but the CBD stands out for its comprehensive scope and global reach. The table below compares it with other key treaties.

Treaty	Year Adopted	Parties	Primary Focus	Key Mechanism
CBD	1992	196	Biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, benefit-sharing	NBSAPs, COP, Nagoya Protocol
UNFCCC	1992	198	Climate change mitigation and adaptation	Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions
CITES	1973	184	Regulating international trade in endangered species	Species appendices and trade permits
Ramsar Convention	1971	172	Wetland conservation	Wetland of International Importance designations
UNCCD	1994	197	Combatting desertification and land degradation	National Action Programs

While CITES focuses narrowly on trade and Ramsar on wetlands, the CBD’s ecosystem-based approach integrates conservation, sustainable development, and equity. Its protocols and decision-making structure make it more adaptive than older treaties.

Why It Matters

The CBD has reshaped how nations approach environmental policy, embedding biodiversity into development planning and international law. Its influence extends beyond conservation to agriculture, health, and indigenous rights.

The CBD led to the 2010 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, a set of 20 goals aimed at reducing biodiversity loss by 2020, though most were not fully met.
It supports indigenous rights by recognizing traditional knowledge and requiring free, prior, and informed consent for accessing genetic resources.
The Nagoya Protocol has influenced national laws in over 100 countries, improving legal frameworks for bioprospecting and benefit-sharing.
It promotes ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change, integrating biodiversity into resilience strategies.
The CBD fosters international collaboration on invasive species control, pollinator protection, and sustainable agriculture.
It serves as a foundation for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, aiming to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030.

By establishing biodiversity as a global public good, the CBD continues to drive policy innovation and international cooperation, setting the stage for a more sustainable future.