Chapter 1 - The Convention of Biodiversity, the Global Biodiversity Framework and key international bodies
The UN Environmental Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, WCMC, is responsible for biodiversity assessment and support to policy development and implementation.
The activities of UNEP-WCMC include biodiversity assessment, support to international conventions such as CBD ( Convention on Biodiversity) and CITES ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Furthermore, they work with capacity building and management of both aspatial and spatial data on species and habitats of conservation concern.
UNEP-WCMC has a mandate to facilitate the delivery of the global indicators under the CBD's 2010 Biodiversity Target on the rate of loss of biological diversity. It also manages the World Database of Protected Areas in collaboration with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
UNEP-WCMC has expertise across six thematic areas:
• Mainstreaming biodiversity into sustainable development.
• Strengthening natural capital in private sector decision-making.
• Planning for places.
• Securing a sustainable future for wildlife. • Supporting the transition to a healthy ocean.
• Supporting intergovernmental agreements on biodiversity and ecosystem services.