CBD Background

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development on June 5, 1992. Canada was the first industrialized country to sign and ratify the CBD, affixing its signature on June 11 and ratification on December 4 of the same year. The Convention came into force on December 29, 1993. There are presently 189 Parties to the CBD, 188 member states and the European Community.

The official text of the Convention is available through the CBD Clearing-House Mechanism.