• Acknowledgements
• About the Authors
• Introduction
• Dimensions of Diversity
• Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and the Convention on Biodiversity
• From Policy to Implementation?
• Executive Summary of COP5 Decisions
• Executive Summary of COP6 DecisionsReferences

Organisation of the Work of the Convention:

The Work of the Convention was initially set out in what was called the medium-term programme of work (1995-1997), which set out the agenda for addressing particular issues (SCBD 2001:xxiii). The programme was reviewed by COP4, which developed a work programme for the period from COP5 to COP7 (Decision IV/16, Annex II). During the Inter-sessional meeting on the Operations of the Convention (ISOC) in 1999 the development of a strategic plan for the Convention covering the period between 2002 to 2010 was recommended and subsequently approved by COP5 (Decision V/20). The strategic plan is now being prepared in a series of workshops and will go forward for discussion at COP6 in 2002 (see UNEP/CBD/COP/6/5).

The existing programme of work and the development of the strategic plan are complemented by specific programmes of work in what are called "thematic areas" and "cross-cutting issues"

Thematic Work Programmes

• Inland water biological diversity (Decision V/2)
• Marine and coastal biological diversity (Decision V/3)
• Forest biological diversity (Decision V/4)
• Agricultural biological diversity. (Decision V/5)
• Dryland and Semi-Arid biodiversity (Decision V/23)
• Migratory Species (under development, SBSTTA VI/8)

Cross-cutting Work Programmes

Cross-cutting issues are those issues that span the Convention and are found within Articles 6 to 20 of the Convention. These include ".. biosafety; access to genetic resources; traditional knowledge, innovations and practices (Article 8(j)); intellectual property rights; indicators; taxonomy; public education and awareness; incentives; and alien species" (SCBD 2001: xxiv).

Work programmes have now been established in three cross-cutting areas:

• Alien Species (Decision V/8)
• Article 8(j) and related provisions (Decision V/16)
• Incentive measures (Decision V/15)

Additional programmes of work are now under development for consideration by COP6 in 2002. These include:

• The Global Taxonomy Initiative (Decision V/9)
• Education and Public Awareness (Decision V/17)

It is likely that in future the CBD will also develop a series of other work programmes. The participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the development of these work programmes will be vital to ensure that their rights and needs are reflected within the contents of any new work programmes.