Principles, Guidelines and Other Tools Developed under the Convention

This page lists some Principles, Guidelines and other tools developed under the Convention. All are available in the six official United Nations Languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian) through associated Conference of the Parties decisions (left column). In the language column on the right, links are made to associated PDF Publications of the Secretariat.

Responding to requests, the Secretariat will make available translations of the principles, guidelines and other tools developed under the Convention into as many national languages as possible. Note that this page also lists, in the right column, related translations in non-United Nations languages as submitted by Parties and ensuing from Notification 2006-082.

Note: ^* indicates that an official publication is not available.

Area	Decision	Title	Languages
Article 8(j)	X/42	The Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct to Ensure Respect for the Cultural and Intellectual Heritage of Indigenous and Local Communities.	English Spanish French Arabic Chinese Russian
Invasive Alien Species	VI/23[1]	Guiding Principles for the Prevention, Introduction and Mitigation of Impacts of Alien Species that Threaten Ecosystems, Habitats or Species The Guiding Principles are intended to assist governments to control invasive alien species, as an integral part of conservation and economic development. They comprise 15 principles on prevention, intentional and unintentional introduction, and mitigation of impacts.	English* Spanish* French* Arabic* Chinese* Russian* German*
Article 8(j)	VII/16	Akwé: Kon Voluntary Guidelines for the Conduct of Cultural, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment regarding Developments Proposed to Take Place on, or which are Likely to Impact on, Sacred Sites and on Lands and Waters Traditionally Occupied or Used by Indigenous and Local Communities The guidelines provide advice on how to incorporate cultural, environmental (including biodiversity-related), and social considerations of indigenous and local communities into new or existing impact-assessment procedures, to ensure appropriate development. They support the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in screening, scoping and development planning exercises, taking into account their traditional knowledge, innovations and practices.	English Spanish French Russian Arabic* Chinese*
Ecosystem Approach	VII/11	The Ecosystem Approach The Ecosystem Approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. It is based on the application of scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization which encompass the essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems. The Ecosystem Approach can be understood in terms of its 12 Principles and fi ve points of operational guidance.	English Spanish French Arabic* Chinese* Russian*
Biodiversity and Tourism	VII/14	Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development A comprehensive instrument for managing tourism activities in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable manner. The guidelines emphasize a consultative approach involving multiple stakeholders, and are structured around ten steps, from development of an overall vision to implementation of adaptive management programmes. Users' Manual on the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development	English Spanish French Arabic* Chinese* Russian* Czech* Polish*
Sustainable Use	VII/12	ADDIS ABABA Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity A framework for advising stakeholders on how they can ensure that their use of the components of biodiversity will not lead to long-term biodiversity declines, but will instead promote conservation and contribute to poverty alleviation. Applying to both consumptive and non-consumptive uses of biodiversity, the Principles and Guidelines take into account issues related to policies, laws and regulations; management of biodiversity; socio-economic conditions; and information, research and education.	English Spanish French Russian Arabic* Chinese*
Access and Benifit-sharing	VI/24	Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable sharing of the Benefits Arising out of Their Utilization The Guidelines are intended to assist Parties and stakeholders in the development of national legislation and policies and on contracts for benefit-sharing. They provide guidance on the roles of focal points and national authorities; the responsibilities of providers and users; facilitating the participation of stakeholders; and on steps in the overall process, including Prior Informed Consent for access and potential elements of Mutually Agreed Terms for benefit-sharing.	English Spanish French Arabic Chinese Russian German*
Impact Assessment	VIII/28	Voluntary Guidelines on Biodiversity-Inclusive Impact Assessment Impact assessment is a comprehensive process and assessment tool that promotes sustainable development and is used to ensure that projects, programmes and policies are economically viable, socially equitable and environmentally sustainable. These guidelines provide advice on the incorporation of biodiversity-related concerns into new or existing environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment(SEA) procedures.	English* Spanish* French* Arabic* Chinese* Russian*
Incentive measures	VI/15	Proposals for the Design and Implementation of Incentive Measures Incentive measures serve to correct the failure of markets to properly reflect biodiversity’s value to society. These Proposals identify and explain key elements that need to be considered when using incentive measures for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. They also provide advice on the application of complementary measures for the provision of capacity-building, and for management, monitoring and enforcement.	English Spanish French Arabic* Chinese* Russian*
Incentive measures	VII/18	Proposals for the Application of Ways and Means to Remove or Mitigate Perverse Incentives Perverse incentives induce unsustainable behaviours that destroys biodiversity, often as unanticipated side effects of policies designed to attain other objectives. These Proposals offer a general framework for the removal or mitigation of perverse incentives, based on a three-phase approach: identification of policies and practices generating perverse incentives; design and implementation of appropriate reforms; and monitoring, enforcement and evaluation of these reforms. COP-8 acknowledged that these proposals need further refinenment and consideration, but encouraged Parties and governments, as appropriate, to use them as voluntary interim guidance for the application of ways and means to remove or mitigate policies and practices that generate perverse incentives, bearing in mind that perverse incentives include those that negatively affect biodiversity in other countries."	English* Spanish* French* Arabic* Chinese* Russian*

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Note:

[1]/ One representative entered a formal objection during the process leading to the adoption of this decision and underlined that he did not believe that the Conference of the Parties could legitimatly adopt a motion or a text with a formal objection in place. A few representatives expressed reservations regarding the procedure leading to the adoption of this decision (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/20, paras. 294-324).