Implementing the biodiversity treaty: How to make international co-operative agreements work

The Convention on Biological Diversity provides an international legal framework and multilateral mechanism for the exchange of genetic materials and conservation of biodiversity. The Convention recognizes the sovereign rights of states over their natural resources, and the authority to determine access. The research agreements and legal contracts must address the needs of indigenous people, community rights, sustainable methods of sample collection, compensation and intellectual property issues. Implementation of the articles of the treaty requires not only the formulation of legal agreements and contracts, but also the establishment of meaningful and just collaborations, and functional partnerships between industrialized nations and source countries.