THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, April 19, 2002 (ENS) - Ministers left The Hague today after a two week meeting that charts a course for global action on biological diversity through 2010. Representatives of 166 countries agreed detailed guidelines on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing, an international work program on forests, and guiding principles on combating alien invasive species.

The Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was attended by some 120 ministers and vice ministers and almost 2,000 governmental and nongovernmental officials.

In their final Declaration, the ministers resolved "to strengthen our efforts to put in place measures to halt biodiversity loss, which is taking place at an alarming rate, at the global, regional, sub-regional and national levels by the year 2010."

Geke Faber presided over the two week conference. (Photos courtesy Earth Negotiations Bulletin)

The ministers wound up the final session at midnight after disagreement over text in 15 Guiding Principles on how to develop effective strategies to minimize the spread and impact of invasive alien species. Australian delegates formally objected to text which they considered unclear and feared might result in conflicts with obligations under trade related agreements.

At the end, the guiding principles were ultimately adopted on the grounds of consensus.

Hamdallah Zedan, executive secretary for the Convention on Biological Diversity, said, "Invasive alien species have caused untold damage to natural ecosystems and human economies alike over the past few centuries. Globalization is accelerating the destruction, as expanding tourism and trade offer more and more opportunities for unwanted species to hitchhike to new homes."

Executive Secretary Convention on Biological Diversity Hamdallah Zedan

Other principles advocate and describe the three step hierarchy of prevention, eradication, and containment. Specific measures are recommended, with emphasis on the least expensive and most effective, including border controls, quarantine measures, information exchange, and capacity building.

In addition, recipient governments should have the opportunity to provide prior authorization before the first time intentional introduction of a potentially invasive species.

The guidelines adopted on genetic resources advise governments on how to set fair and practical conditions for users seeking genetic resources - such as plants that can be used to produce new pharmaceuticals or fragrances. In return, these users must offer benefits such as profits, royalties, scientific collaboration, or training.

The guidelines were developed in response to growing concerns in developing countries that the commercial and scientific gains realized from their genetic resources are being reaped only by bio-prospectors based in foreign countries.

UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer

"Contracts based on the guidelines will give biodiversity rich countries additional incentives to conserve and sustainably use their resources," said Zedan.

They will offer local and indigenous communities with traditional knowledge fair compensation. And they will ensure a good deal for seed companies, plant breeders, and industries seeking genetic resources," he said.

Dais at the closing plenary session

Goals range from promoting the sustainable use of forest biodiversity to improving the understanding of ecosystem functioning and the role of biodiversity, to enhancing the institutional enabling environment and addressing socio-economic distortions.

Zedan told the delegates there is an opportunity provided by the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa this summer to draw attention to the interlinkages between biodiversity, sustainable development and poverty eradication.

Toepfer characterized the broad ministerial participation in the high level segment of the conference as a breakthrough for the Convention on Biological Diversity, placing it on equal footing with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The next Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the first quarter of 2004.