As a signatory state to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and numerous other biodiversity-related international agreements, Switzerland is working towards effective framework conditions, measures and policies for the conservation, promotion and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The most far-reaching biodiversity-related agreement is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the two complementary international agreements, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at the 2022 CBD Conference of the Parties in Montreal, and its targets for 2030 and 2050, are relevant to all biodiversity-related conventions and international processes.
Biodiversity-related international agreements
Global conventions: Global biodiversity-relevant agreements include: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (UNESCO WHC), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
Regional conventions: Regional biodiversity-relevant agreements include: the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, the Council of Europe Landscape Convention and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Alpine Convention.
Switzerland has also signed the Convention on the Protection of Biodiversity outside National Territories (High Seas Treaty) and is currently preparing for its ratification by the Federal Assembly.
It is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) established in 2012, and of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
- 1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- 2. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
- 3. Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing ABS
- 4. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
- 5. Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
- 6. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- 7. Bern Convention
- 8. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (Biodiversity Convention or CBD) was adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Convention now has a total of 196 Parties. It was ratified by Switzerland on 21 November 1994.
The Parties to the CBD commit to taking appropriate measures for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and to regulate equitable access to and use of genetic resources.
The implementation of the CBD is monitored by the governing body, the Conference of the Parties (COP), and where necessary advanced through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings. In April 2002, the Parties to the CBD undertook to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. At the COP meeting in Nagoya in October 2010, the Global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets were established. Unfortunately, none of the global targets could be fully achieved by 2020.
Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted in December 2022 in Montreal at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD (COP15), replacing the previous global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, which included the Aichi Targets. The Global Biodiversity Framework includes clear and measurable global targets to be achieved by 2030 and overarching goals by 2050 with standardised indicators that address the main global causes of biodiversity loss. The framework of targets gives concrete form to implementing the CBD and is relevant for all biodiversity-related agreements and processes.
Besides this framework, a reporting and review mechanism and measures to mobilise funding to achieve the targets were also agreed in Montreal. This mechanism to support target implementation should allow the Parties to better assess the success of the measures and draw lessons from them. A resolution was also passed to share the benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources, and a mechanism created to this end.
Implementation in Switzerland
To ensure the long-term conservation of biodiversity, the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) developed a national biodiversity strategy, which was approved by the Federal Council on 25 April 2012. The associated action plan was approved on 6 September 2017; on 20 November 2024, the Federal Council adopted the second phase (2025–30) of this plan, which supports existing efforts to protect biodiversity in the various sectoral policies, such as agriculture and forestry. This includes measures on combating insect loss, adapting biodiversity to climate change and promoting biodiversity in urban areas. It will contribute to achieving the goals of the new global biodiversity framework.
Multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism for the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources
At the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (21 October – 1 November 2024, Cali, Colombia), the parties adopted a decision to establish a new multilateral mechanism for sharing benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources.
The mechanism aims to ensure fair benefit-sharing from the use of DSI (e.g. gene sequence data), thereby supporting the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Participation in the mechanism is voluntary. DSI users are identified based on an indicative list of sectors, and companies exceeding a certain size threshold are expected to contribute either 1% of relevant profits or 0.1% of relevant turnover to a dedicated fund – the Cali Fund. In return, contributors receive a certificate exempting them from further DSI-related benefit-sharing obligations.
The UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office acts as the Administrative Agent of the Cali Fund. Governance of the Cali Fund and the benefit-sharing mechanism is provided by a newly established multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, supported by the Cali Fund Secretariat. Proceeds from the fund will be used for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and are intended to benefit indigenous peoples and local communities in particular, as they play a vital role in these efforts.
The text of CBD Decision 16/2 on the modalities of this multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism can be found here:
Switzerland actively participated in the negotiations, advocating a clear and practical mechanism that ensures effective benefit-sharing, provides legal certainty, does not hinder research and avoids market distortion. As stated in the decision, certain aspects of the mechanism still require further revision and refinement through continued work and negotiations. Switzerland will remain actively engaged in this process. On 25 February 2025, the Cali Fund was officially launched during the resumed session of COP16 in Rome, thus rendering both the mechanism and its associated fund operational. Based on this decision, we invite all Swiss-based companies that use DSI to contribute to the mechanism and thereby support the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.
More information on the multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism for DSI can be found on the official CBD website:
2. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Under the umbrella of the Biodiversity Convention (CBD), the same states that adopted the CBD also adopted the Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity in 2000. This was ratified by Switzerland on 26 March 2002. The Cartagena Protocol is an instrument of international law that addresses environmental and health aspects related to the use of living modified organisms (LMOs). It is designed to ensure the safe transport and use of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology that could pose risks to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
An agreement supplementary to the Cartagena Protocol, the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol, was adopted in Nagoya in 2010. It specifies international rules and processes in relation to liability and redress in the event of damage caused to biodiversity by LMOs. Switzerland ratified the supplementary protocol on 27 October 2014 and it came into effect on 5 March 2018. Its provisions are harmonised with the applicable Swiss Gene Technology Act (GTA SR 814.91).
3. Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (Access and Benefit-Sharing, ABS)
The Nagoya Protocol, which was negotiated within the framework of the Biodiversity Convention (CBD), regulates access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation (Access and Benefit-Sharing, ABS). It serves to implement the third objective of the CBD and contributes to achieving the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of its components. Genetic resources are often connected with traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities, which is why the Nagoya Protocol also contains provisions concerning access and benefit-sharing when such knowledge is used.
Switzerland ratified the Nagoya Protocol on 11 July 2014 and it came into force on 12 October 2014. New provisions were introduced in the Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage (NCHA, SR 451) in order to implement the protocol in Switzerland (Art. 23n–q, Art. 24h para. 3 and Art. 25d NCHA). They came into force on 12 October 2014. The associated Nagoya Ordinance (NagO, SR 461.61) came into force on 1 February 2016. Its purpose is to apply the provisions concerning genetic resources in the Nature and Cultural Heritage Act and implement the Nagoya Protocol in Switzerland.
4. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat was concluded in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Therefore, it is one of the oldest international agreements on the protection of nature. The Ramsar Convention came into force in Switzerland on 16 July 1976. The secretariat for the Ramsar Convention is located in Gland (canton of Vaud).
5. Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was concluded in Bonn, Germany, in 1979 and came into force in Switzerland on 1 July 1995. Its secretariat is located in Bonn.
6. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), also known as the Washington Endangered Species Convention, was concluded in Washington DC, USA, in 1973. It came into force in Switzerland on 1 July 1975. The CITES secretariat is located in Geneva. The authority responsible for CITES in Switzerland is the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO).
7. Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats was signed by the Council of Europe in Bern in 1979. It is the first agreement to regulate the protection of biodiversity at European level.
The aim of the Bern Convention is to conserve wild flora and fauna and their habitats, and to promote cooperation between European countries in the conservation of biodiversity. Special attention is given to endangered and vulnerable species. The Bern Convention implements at regional level many of the global goals defined in the Biodiversity Convention (1992).
8. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) adopted the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in Rome in 2001. The treaty came into force in Switzerland on 20 February 2005. The authority in Switzerland responsible for the ITPGRFA is the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG).
Further information
Last modification 20.06.2025
