Opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit, in force ninety days after the thirtieth ratification

Background

The Convention on Biological Diversity covers the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
The United Nations Environment Programme convened the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity in November 1988 to explore the need for an international convention on biological diversity.
The negotiating work culminated on 22 May 1992 with the Nairobi Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Convention was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the Rio Earth Summit.
It remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures.
The Convention entered into force on 29 December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th ratification.
The first session of the Conference of the Parties was scheduled for 28 November to 9 December 1994 in the Bahamas.
The Convention has two protocols, the Cartagena Protocol and the Nagoya Protocol, and its bodies include the Conference of the Parties, the Scientific Body known as SBSTTA and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation.