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Party Signature Ratification Status Party
12 Jun 1992 19 Sep 2002 Ratification 18 Dec 2002 End notes
05 Jan 1994 Accession 05 Apr 1994
13 Jun 1992 14 Aug 1995 Ratification 12 Nov 1995
04 Feb 2015 Accession 05 May 2015
12 Jun 1992 01 Apr 1998 Ratification 30 Jun 1998
05 Jun 1992 09 Mar 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 22 Nov 1994 Ratification 20 Feb 1995 Declarations
13 Jun 1992 14 May 1993 Acceptance 29 Dec 1993
05 Jun 1992 18 Jun 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
13 Jun 1992 18 Aug 1994 Ratification 16 Nov 1994 Declarations
12 Jun 1992 03 Aug 2000 Approval 01 Nov 2000
12 Jun 1992 02 Sep 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
09 Jun 1992 30 Aug 1996 Ratification 28 Nov 1996
05 Jun 1992 03 May 1994 Ratification 01 Aug 1994
12 Jun 1992 10 Dec 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
11 Jun 1992 08 Sep 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
05 Jun 1992 22 Nov 1996 Ratification 20 Feb 1997
13 Jun 1992 30 Dec 1993 Ratification 30 Mar 1994
13 Jun 1992 30 Jun 1994 Ratification 28 Sep 1994
11 Jun 1992 25 Aug 1995 Ratification 23 Nov 1995
13 Jun 1992 03 Oct 1994 Ratification 01 Jan 1995
26 Aug 2002 Accession 24 Nov 2002
08 Jun 1992 12 Oct 1995 Ratification 10 Jan 1996
05 Jun 1992 28 Feb 1994 Ratification 29 May 1994
28 Apr 2008 Accession 27 Jul 2008
12 Jun 1992 17 Apr 1996 Ratification 16 Jul 1996
12 Jun 1992 02 Sep 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
11 Jun 1992 15 Apr 1997 Ratification 14 Jul 1997
12 Jun 1992 29 Mar 1995 Ratification 27 Jun 1995
09 Feb 1995 Accession 10 May 1995
14 Jun 1992 19 Oct 1994 Ratification 17 Jan 1995
11 Jun 1992 04 Dec 1992 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
13 Jun 1992 15 Mar 1995 Ratification 13 Jun 1995
12 Jun 1992 07 Jun 1994 Ratification 05 Sep 1994
13 Jun 1992 09 Sep 1994 Ratification 08 Dec 1994 Declarations
11 Jun 1992 05 Jan 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993 End notes
12 Jun 1992 28 Nov 1994 Ratification 26 Feb 1995
11 Jun 1992 29 Sep 1994 Ratification 28 Dec 1994
11 Jun 1992 01 Aug 1996 Ratification 30 Oct 1996
12 Jun 1992 20 Apr 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
13 Jun 1992 26 Aug 1994 Ratification 24 Nov 1994
11 Jun 1992 07 Oct 1996 Ratification 05 Jan 1997
12 Jun 1992 08 Mar 1994 Ratification 06 Jun 1994 Declarations
12 Jun 1992 10 Jul 1996 Ratification 08 Oct 1996
04 Jun 1993 03 Dec 1993 Approval 29 Dec 1993
10 Jun 1992 29 Nov 1994 Ratification 27 Feb 1995
11 Jun 1992 26 Oct 1994 Approval 24 Jan 1995
11 Jun 1992 03 Dec 1994 Ratification 03 Mar 1995
12 Jun 1992 21 Dec 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
13 Jun 1992 01 Sep 1994 Ratification 30 Nov 1994
06 Apr 1994 Accession 05 Jul 1994
13 Jun 1992 25 Nov 1996 Ratification 23 Feb 1997
09 Jun 1992 23 Feb 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
09 Jun 1992 02 Jun 1994 Ratification 31 Aug 1994
13 Jun 1992 08 Sep 1994 Ratification 07 Dec 1994
06 Dec 1994 Accession 06 Mar 1995
21 Mar 1996 Accession 19 Jun 1996
12 Jun 1992 27 Jul 1994 Ratification 25 Oct 1994
12 Jun 1992 09 Nov 1994 Ratification 07 Feb 1995
10 Jun 1992 05 Apr 1994 Ratification 04 Jul 1994
13 Jun 1992 21 Dec 1993 Approval 29 Dec 1993 Declarations
09 Oct 1992 25 Feb 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
05 Jun 1992 27 Jul 1994 Acceptance 25 Oct 1994
13 Jun 1992 01 Jul 1994 Ratification 29 Sep 1994 Declarations
12 Jun 1992 14 Mar 1997 Ratification 12 Jun 1997
02 Jun 1994 Accession 31 Aug 1994 Declarations
12 Jun 1992 21 Dec 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 29 Aug 1994 Ratification 27 Nov 1994
12 Jun 1992 04 Aug 1994 Ratification 02 Nov 1994
03 Dec 1992 11 Aug 1994 Ratification 09 Nov 1994
13 Jun 1992 10 Jul 1995 Ratification 08 Oct 1995
12 Jun 1992 07 May 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 27 Oct 1995 Ratification 25 Jan 1996
13 Jun 1992 29 Aug 1994 Ratification 27 Nov 1994
13 Jun 1992 25 Sep 1996 Ratification 24 Dec 1996
13 Jun 1992 31 Jul 1995 Ratification 29 Oct 1995
13 Jun 1992 24 Feb 1994 Ratification 25 May 1994
10 Jun 1992 12 Sep 1994 Ratification 11 Dec 1994
05 Jun 1992 18 Feb 1994 Ratification 19 May 1994
05 Jun 1992 23 Aug 1994 Ratification 21 Nov 1994
14 Jun 1992 06 Aug 1996 Ratification 04 Nov 1996
28 Jul 2009 Accession 26 Oct 2009
13 Jun 1992 22 Mar 1996 Ratification 20 Jun 1996 Declarations
11 Jun 1992 07 Aug 1995 Ratification 05 Nov 1995
05 Jun 1992 15 Apr 1994 Ratification 14 Jul 1994 Declarations
11 Jun 1992 06 Jan 1995 Ratification 06 Apr 1995
13 Jun 1992 28 May 1993 Acceptance 29 Dec 1993
11 Jun 1992 12 Nov 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
09 Jun 1992 06 Sep 1994 Ratification 05 Dec 1994
11 Jun 1992 26 Jul 1994 Ratification 24 Oct 1994
16 Aug 1994 Accession 14 Nov 1994
09 Jun 1992 02 Aug 2002 Ratification 31 Oct 2002
06 Aug 1996 Accession 04 Nov 1996
20 Sep 1996 Accession 19 Dec 1996
11 Jun 1992 14 Dec 1995 Ratification 13 Mar 1996 Declarations
12 Jun 1992 15 Dec 1994 Ratification 15 Mar 1995
11 Jun 1992 10 Jan 1995 Ratification 10 Apr 1995
12 Jun 1992 08 Nov 2000 Ratification 06 Feb 2001
29 Jun 1992 12 Jul 2001 Ratification 10 Oct 2001
05 Jun 1992 19 Nov 1997 Ratification 17 Feb 1998 Declarations
11 Jun 1992 01 Feb 1996 Ratification 01 May 1996
09 Jun 1992 09 May 1994 Ratification 07 Aug 1994
08 Jun 1992 04 Mar 1996 Ratification 02 Jun 1996
10 Jun 1992 02 Feb 1994 Ratification 03 May 1994
12 Jun 1992 24 Jun 1994 Ratification 22 Sep 1994
12 Jun 1992 09 Nov 1992 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
30 Sep 1992 29 Mar 1995 Ratification 27 Jun 1995
12 Jun 1992 29 Dec 2000 Ratification 29 Mar 2001
12 Jun 1992 08 Oct 1992 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 16 Aug 1996 Ratification 14 Nov 1996
10 Jun 1992 04 Sep 1992 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
13 Jun 1992 11 Mar 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 20 Jun 1994 Ratification 18 Sep 1994
11 Jun 1992 20 Nov 1992 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 30 Sep 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
23 Oct 2006 Ratification 21 Jan 2007 End notes
13 Jun 1992 21 Aug 1995 Ratification 19 Nov 1995
12 Jun 1992 25 Aug 1995 Ratification 23 Nov 1995
11 Jun 1992 25 Nov 1994 Ratification 23 Feb 1995
12 Jun 1992 16 May 1997 Ratification 14 Aug 1997
05 Jun 1992 11 Nov 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 23 Nov 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
05 Jun 1992 12 Jul 1994 Acceptance 10 Oct 1994 Declarations
End notes
12 Jun 1992 16 Sep 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
13 Jun 1992 20 Nov 1995 Ratification 18 Feb 1996
11 Jun 1992 25 Jul 1995 Ratification 23 Oct 1995
13 Jun 1992 29 Aug 1994 Ratification 27 Nov 1994
28 Feb 1996 Accession 28 May 1996
09 Jun 1992 09 Jul 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
10 Jun 1992 08 Feb 1995 Ratification 09 May 1995
05 Jun 1992 26 Jul 1994 Ratification 24 Oct 1994
06 Jan 1999 Accession 06 Apr 1999
13 Jun 1992 17 Jan 1995 Ratification 17 Apr 1995
13 Jun 1992 16 Mar 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993 Declarations
12 Jun 1992 24 Feb 1994 Ratification 25 May 1994
12 Jun 1992 07 Jun 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 08 Oct 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
05 Jun 1992 18 Jan 1996 Ratification 17 Apr 1996
13 Jun 1992 21 Dec 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993 End notes
11 Jun 1992 21 Aug 1996 Ratification 19 Nov 1996
13 Jun 1992 03 Oct 1994 Ratification 01 Jan 1995
05 Jun 1992 20 Oct 1995 Ratification 18 Jan 1996
05 Jun 1992 17 Aug 1994 Ratification 15 Nov 1994
13 Jun 1992 05 Apr 1995 Ratification 04 Jul 1995
10 Jun 1992 29 May 1996 Ratification 27 Aug 1996
12 Jun 1992 07 Jan 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
28 Jul 1993 Accession 29 Dec 1993
03 Jun 1996 Accession 01 Sep 1996
12 Jun 1992 09 Feb 1994 Ratification 10 May 1994
10 Jun 1992 28 Oct 1994 Ratification 26 Jan 1995
12 Jun 1992 29 Sep 1999 Ratification 28 Dec 1999
03 Oct 2001 Accession 01 Jan 2002
13 Jun 1992 17 Oct 1994 Ratification 15 Jan 1995
08 Jun 1992 01 Mar 2002 Ratification 30 May 2002 End notes
10 Jun 1992 22 Sep 1992 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Dec 1994 Accession 12 Mar 1995
10 Mar 1993 21 Dec 1995 Ratification 20 Mar 1996
19 May 1993 25 Aug 1994 Approval 23 Nov 1994
13 Jun 1992 09 Jul 1996 Ratification 07 Oct 1996
13 Jun 1992 03 Oct 1995 Ratification 01 Jan 1996
11 Sep 2009 Accession 10 Dec 2009
04 Jun 1993 02 Nov 1995 Ratification 31 Jan 1996
17 Feb 2014 Accession 18 May 2014
13 Jun 1992 21 Dec 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993 End notes
10 Jun 1992 23 Mar 1994 Ratification 21 Jun 1994
02 Jan 2015 Accession 02 Apr 2015
09 Jun 1992 30 Oct 1995 Ratification 28 Jan 1996 Declarations
13 Jun 1992 12 Jan 1996 Ratification 11 Apr 1996
08 Jun 1992 16 Dec 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 21 Nov 1994 Ratification 19 Feb 1995 Declarations
03 May 1993 04 Jan 1996 Ratification 03 Apr 1996 Declarations
29 Oct 1997 Accession 27 Jan 1998
12 Jun 1992 31 Oct 2003 Ratification 29 Jan 2004
12 Jun 1992 10 Jun 1994 Ratification 08 Sep 1994
02 Dec 1997 Accession 02 Mar 1998
10 Oct 2006 Accession 08 Jan 2007
12 Jun 1992 04 Oct 1995 Acceptance 02 Jan 1996
19 May 1998 Accession 17 Aug 1998
11 Jun 1992 01 Aug 1996 Ratification 30 Oct 1996
13 Jun 1992 15 Jul 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
11 Jun 1992 14 Feb 1997 Ratification 15 May 1997
18 Sep 1996 Accession 17 Dec 1996
08 Jun 1992 20 Dec 2002 Ratification 20 Mar 2003
12 Jun 1992 08 Sep 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
11 Jun 1992 07 Feb 1995 Ratification 08 May 1995
11 Jun 1992 10 Feb 2000 Ratification 10 May 2000
12 Jun 1992 03 Jun 1994 Ratification 01 Sep 1994 Declarations
End notes
12 Jun 1992 08 Mar 1996 Ratification 06 Jun 1996
09 Jun 1992 05 Nov 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
19 Jul 1995 Accession 17 Oct 1995
09 Jun 1992 25 Mar 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 13 Sep 1994 Ratification 12 Dec 1994
28 May 1993 16 Nov 1994 Ratification 14 Feb 1995
12 Jun 1992 21 Feb 1996 Ratification 21 May 1996
11 Jun 1992 28 May 1993 Ratification 29 Dec 1993
12 Jun 1992 11 Nov 1994 Ratification 09 Feb 1995

Non-Parties

Party Signature Ratification Status Additional information
04 Jun 1993 Signatory

Declarations

Declaration:The Argentine Government considers that this Convention represents a step forward in that it establishes among its objectives the sustainable use of biological diversity. Likewise, the definitions contained in article 2 and other provisions of the Convention indicate that the terms "genetic resources", "biological resources" and "biological material" do not include the human genome. In accordance with the commitments entered into in the Convention, the Argentine Nation will pass legislation on the conditions of access to biological resources and the ownership of future rights and benefits arising from them. The Convention is fully consistent with the principles established in the "Agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights", including trade in counterfeit goods, contained in the Final Act of the Uruguay Round of GATT.
Declaration:"The Republic of Austria declares in accordance with article 27, paragraph 3 of the Convention that it accepts both of the means of dispute settlement mentioned in this paragraph as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting an obligation concerning one or both of these means of dispute settlement."
Declaration:The Government of Chile, on ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992, wishes to place on record that the pine tree and other species that the country exploits as one of its forestry resources are considered exotic and are not taken to fall within the scope of the Convention.
Declaration:The Government of the Republic of Cuba declares, with respect to article 27 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, that as far as the Republic of Cuba is concerned, disputes that arise between Parties concerning the interpretation or applica- tion of this international legal instrument shall be settled by negotiation through the diplomatic channel or, failing that, by arbitration in accordance with the procedure laid down in Annex II on arbitration of the Convention.
Declaration:"Within their respective competence, the European Community and its Member States wish to reaffirm the importance they attach to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.For the European Community and its member States, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be carried out in accordance with article 16 of the said Convention and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to this Convention.The European Community and its Member States will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by European operators, in particular as regards the granting of licences, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights."
Upon signature:Declaration:With reference to article 3, that it interprets that article as a guiding principle to be taken into account in the implementation of the Convention;With reference to article 21, paragraph 1, that the decision taken periodically by the Conference of the Parties concerns the "amount of resources needed" and that no provision of the Convention authorizes the Conference of the Parties to take decisions concerning the amount, nature or frequency of the contributions from Parties to the Convention.Upon ratification:Declaration:With reference to article 3, that it interprets that article as a guiding principle to be taken into account in the implementation of the Convention;The French Republic reaffirms its belief in the importance of the transfer of technology and biotechnology in guaranteeing the protection and long-term utilization of biological diversity. Respect for intellectual property rights is an essential element of the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.The French Republic affirms that the transfer of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be implemented according to article 16 of that Convention and with respect for the principles and rules concerning the protection of intellectual property, including multilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to the present Convention.The French Republic will encourage recourse to the financial mechanism established by the Convention for the purpose of promoting the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights under French ownership, inter alia , as regards the granting of licences, by traditional commercial decisions and mechanisms while ensuring the appropriate and effective protection of property rights.With reference to article 21, paragraph 1, the French Republic considers that the decisiontaken periodically by the Conference of the Parties concerns the "amount of resources needed" and that no provision of the Convention authorizes the Conference of the Parties to take decisions concerning the amount, nature or frequency of the contributions from Parties to the Convention.31 August 2016Upon its ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the French Republic reiterated its declaration made upon its ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Declaration:"The Republic of Georgia will use both means for dispute settlement referred to in the Convention:1. Arbitral consideration in accordance with the procedure given in the enclosure II, Part I.2. Submitting of disputes to the International Court."
Declaration:"Ireland wishes to reaffirm the importance it attaches to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.For Ireland, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the contracting parties to this Convention.Ireland will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by Irish operators, in particular as regards the granting of licences, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights."
Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:"The Italian Government [. . .] declares its understanding that the decision to be taken by the Conference of the Parties under article 21.1 of the Convention refers to the `amount of resources needed' by the financial mechanism, not to the extent or nature and form of the contributions of the Contracting Parties."
Declaration:"The Republic of Latvia declares in accordance with article 27 paragraph 3 of the Convention that it accepts both the means of dispute settlement mentioned in this paragraph as compulsory."
Declaration:"The Principality of Liechtenstein wishes to reaffirm the importance it attaches to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.For the Principality of Liechtenstein, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the [said] Convention, will be carried out in accordance with article 16 of the said Convention and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to this Convention.The Principality of Liechtenstein will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by Liechtenstein operators, in particular as regards the granting of licenses, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights."
4 June 2015“The Kingdom of the Netherlands declares, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 27 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, that it accepts both means of dispute settlement referred to in that paragraph as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting one or both means of dispute settlement.”
Declaration:"The Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea declares its understanding that ratification of the Con- vention shall in no way constitute a renunciation of any rights under International Law concerning State responsibility for the adverse effects of Biological Diversity as derogating from the principles of general International Law."
Understanding:"With respect to the principle stipulated in article 3, the Government of the Sudan agrees with the spirit of the article and interprets it to mean that no state is responsible for acts that take place outside its control even if they fall within its judicial jurisdiction and may cause damage to the environment of other states or of areas beyond the limits of national judicial jurisdiction.""The Sudan also sees as regards article 14 (2), that the issue of liability and redress for damage to biological diversity should not form a priority to be tackled by the Agreement as there is ambiguity regarding the essence and scope of the studies to be carried out, in accordance with the above-mentioned article. The Sudan further believes that any such studies on liability and redress should shift towards effects of areas such as biotechnology products, environmental impacts, genetically modified organisms and acid rains."
Upon signature:Declaration:The Swiss Government wishes to emphasize particularly the progress made in establishing standard terms for cooperation between States in a very important field: research activities and activities for the transfer of technology relevant to resources from third countries.The important provisions in question create a platform for even closer cooperation with public research bodies or institutions in Switzerland and for the transfer of technologies available to governmental or public bodies, particularly universities and various publicly-funded research and development centres.It is our understanding that genetic resources acquired under the procedure specified in article 15 and developed by private research institutions will be the subject of programmes of cooperation, joint research and the transfer of technology which will respect the principles and rules for the protection of intellectual property.These principles and rules are essential for research and private investment, in particular in the latest technologies, such as modern biotechnology which requires substantial financial outlays. On the basis of this interpretation, the Swiss Government wishes to indicate that it is ready, at the opportune time, to take the appropriate general policy measures, particularly under articles 16 and 19, with a view to promoting and encouraging cooperation, on a contractual basis, between Swiss firms and the private firms and governmental bodies of other Contracting Parties.With regard to financial cooperation, Switzerland interprets the provisions of articles 20 and 21 as follows: the resources to be committed and the management system will have regard, in an equitable manner, to the needs and interests of the developing countries and to the possibilities and interests of the developed countries.Upon ratification:Declaration:Switzerland wishes to reaffirm the importance it attaches to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.For Switzerland, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be carried out in accordance with article 16 of the said Convention and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to this Convention.Switzerland will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by Swiss operators, in particular as regards the granting of licences, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights.
Upon signature:Declaration:It is being understood that the signing of this Convention shall not constitute recognition of Israel or leading to any inter- course with it.
Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification:The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland declare their understanding that article 3 of the Convention sets out a guiding principle to be taken into account in the implementation of the Convention.The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also declare their understanding that the decisions to be taken by the Conference of the Parties under paragraph 1 of article 21 concern "the amount of resources needed" by the financial mechanism, and that nothing in article 20 or 21 authorises the Conference of the Parties to take decisions concerning the amount, nature, frequency or size of the contributions of the Parties under the Convention.

End Notes

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On 28 June 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General the the Convention would also apply to Macau.

Subsequently, the Secretary-General received the following communications on the dates indicated hereinafter:

Portugal (9 December 1999):

“In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Macau signed on 13 April 1987, the Portuguese Republic will continue to have international responsibility for Macau until 19 December 1999 and from that date onwards the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999.

From 20 December 1999 onwards the Portuguese Republic will cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to Macau."

China (15 December 1999):

In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of Macau (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Declaration), the Government of the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999. Macau will, from that date, become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.

In this connection, [the Government of the People's Republic of China informs the Secretary-General of the following]:

The Convention on Biological Diversity, done at Nairobi on 5 June 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention"), to which the Government of the People's Republic of China deposited the instrument of ratification on 5 January 1993, will apply to the Macau Special Administrative Region with effect from 20 December 1999.

The Government of the People's Republic of China will assume responsibility for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to the Macau Special Administrative Region.

China (Declaration of 9 May 2011):

In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the Government of the People's Republic of China decides that the Convention applies to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

See note 1 under "Montenegro" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.

On 4 June 1999: for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba

On 28 June 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General the the Convention would also apply to Macau.

Subsequently, the Secretary-General received the following communications on the dates indicated hereinafter:

Portugal (9 December 1999):

“In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Macau signed on 13 April 1987, the Portuguese Republic will continue to have international responsibility for Macau until 19 December 1999 and from that date onwards the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999.

From 20 December 1999 onwards the Portuguese Republic will cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to Macau."

China (15 December 1999):

In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of Macau (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Declaration), the Government of the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999. Macau will, from that date, become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.

In this connection, [the Government of the People's Republic of China informs the Secretary-General of the following]:

The Convention on Biological Diversity, done at Nairobi on 5 June 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention"), to which the Government of the People's Republic of China deposited the instrument of ratification on 5 January 1993, will apply to the Macau Special Administrative Region with effect from 20 December 1999.

The Government of the People's Republic of China will assume responsibility for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to the Macau Special Administrative Region.

China (Declaration of 9 May 2011):

In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the Government of the People's Republic of China decides that the Convention applies to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

See note 1 under “former Yugoslavia” and note 1 under “Yugoslavia” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.

In respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Bailiwick of Jersey, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, St. Helena and St. Helena Dependencies.

On 8 May 2012, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

“… The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the United Kingdom’s ratification of the [Convention on Biological Diversity] to be extended to the following territory for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible:

Isle of Man

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the aforesaid Convention to the Isle of Man to enter into force on the ninetieth day after the deposit of this notification [i.e. on 6 August 2012].”

On 27 March 2015, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

"... the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the United Kingdom's Ratification of the Convention be extended to the territory of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible.

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the Convention to South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands to enter into force from the day of deposit of this notification ..."

On 14 July 2015, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

“Upon instructions from my Government, I have the honor to address you, in your capacity as depositary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in order to refer to the note sent to you by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 27 March 2015 regarding the attempt of that country to apply the Convention to the South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands.

The Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, are integral part of the national territory of the Argentine Republic and, being illegitimately occupied by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are subject to a sovereignty dispute recognized by the United Nations and other international fora and organizations.

The illegitimate occupation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland led the United Nations General Assembly to adopt resolutions 2065(XX), 3169 (XXVIII), 31/49, 37/9, 38/12, 39/6, 40/21, 41/40, 42/19 and 43/25, in which it recognized the existence of a sovereignty dispute regarding the question of the Malvinas islands and calls on the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations with a view to finding, as soon as possible, a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the dispute. The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization has made repeated statements to the same effect, the most recently by means of the resolution adopted on 25 June 2015.

Therefore, the Argentine Republic objects and rejects the attempt of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to apply the Convention on Biological Diversity to the South Georgias and South Sandwich lslands.

The Argentine Republic recalls that the Convention, adopted in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992, is applicable to the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands because they are integral part of the territory of the Argentine Republic, as a result of the ratification made by the Argentine Government on 22 November 1994.

The Argentine Republic reaffirms its sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

The Argentine Republic should be grateful if you, acting as a depositary of the Convention, would register this statement, notify the Parties and Contracting Parties and distribute it as document of the Organization among its Member States.”

On 29 June 2016, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

"… the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the United Kingdom's Ratification of the Convention be extended to the following territory:

Falkland Islands

for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible.

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the Convention to the territory of the Falkland Islands to enter into force on the date of deposit of this notification…"

On 22 July 2016, the Secretary-General received a communication from the Argentine Republic relating to the territorial application by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in respect of Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

See C.N.566.2016.TREATIES-XXVII.8 dated 29 July 2016 for the text of the above-mentioned communication.

On 9 July 2014, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Spain the following communication with regard to the Territorial Application by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Gibraltar:

1. Gibraltar is a Non-Self-Governing Territory for whose international relations the Government of the United Kingdom is responsible and which is subject to a process of decolonization in accordance with the relevant decisions and resolutions of the General Assembly.

2. The authorities of Gibraltar are local in character, and exercise competences exclusively over internal affairs that originate in and are based on the powers allocated to and conferred on them by the United Kingdom, in accordance with its domestic legislation and in its capacity as the sovereign State upon which depends the said Non-Self-Governing Territory.

3. Consequently, any involvement by the Gibraltarian authorities in the implementation of this Convention shall be understood to take place exclusively within the framework of the internal affairs of Gibraltar and shall not be considered to affect in any way the content of the two preceding paragraphs.

4. The procedure envisaged in the Arrangements relating to Gibraltar authorities in the context of certain international treaties, which were agreed to by Spain and the United Kingdom on 19 December 2007 (together with "Agreed Arrangements relating to Gibraltar authorities in the context of European Union and European Community Instruments and Related Treaties" of 19 April 2000) applies to the present Convention.

5. The application to Gibraltar of the present Convention cannot be interpreted as recognition of any rights or situations involving matters not included in Article 10 of the Treaty of Utrecht of 13 July 1713, signed bythe crowns of Spain and Great Britain.

In respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Bailiwick of Jersey, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, St. Helena and St. Helena Dependencies.

On 8 May 2012, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

“… The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the United Kingdom’s ratification of the [Convention on Biological Diversity] to be extended to the following territory for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible:

Isle of Man

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the aforesaid Convention to the Isle of Man to enter into force on the ninetieth day after the deposit of this notification [i.e. on 6 August 2012].”

On 27 March 2015, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

"... the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the United Kingdom's Ratification of the Convention be extended to the territory of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible.

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the Convention to South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands to enter into force from the day of deposit of this notification ..."

On 14 July 2015, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

“Upon instructions from my Government, I have the honor to address you, in your capacity as depositary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in order to refer to the note sent to you by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on 27 March 2015 regarding the attempt of that country to apply the Convention to the South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands.

The Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, are integral part of the national territory of the Argentine Republic and, being illegitimately occupied by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, are subject to a sovereignty dispute recognized by the United Nations and other international fora and organizations.

The illegitimate occupation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland led the United Nations General Assembly to adopt resolutions 2065(XX), 3169 (XXVIII), 31/49, 37/9, 38/12, 39/6, 40/21, 41/40, 42/19 and 43/25, in which it recognized the existence of a sovereignty dispute regarding the question of the Malvinas islands and calls on the Governments of the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to resume negotiations with a view to finding, as soon as possible, a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the dispute. The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization has made repeated statements to the same effect, the most recently by means of the resolution adopted on 25 June 2015.

Therefore, the Argentine Republic objects and rejects the attempt of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to apply the Convention on Biological Diversity to the South Georgias and South Sandwich lslands.

The Argentine Republic recalls that the Convention, adopted in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992, is applicable to the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands because they are integral part of the territory of the Argentine Republic, as a result of the ratification made by the Argentine Government on 22 November 1994.

The Argentine Republic reaffirms its sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas.

The Argentine Republic should be grateful if you, acting as a depositary of the Convention, would register this statement, notify the Parties and Contracting Parties and distribute it as document of the Organization among its Member States.”

On 29 June 2016, the Secretary-General received the following communication:

"… the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland wishes the United Kingdom's Ratification of the Convention be extended to the following territory:

Falkland Islands

for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible.

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland considers the extension of the Convention to the territory of the Falkland Islands to enter into force on the date of deposit of this notification…"

On 22 July 2016, the Secretary-General received a communication from the Argentine Republic relating to the territorial application by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in respect of Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

See C.N.566.2016.TREATIES-XXVII.8 dated 29 July 2016 for the text of the above-mentioned communication.