The Jakarta Ministerial Statement on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity of 5 June 1992, Jakarta, 1995
Done at Jakarta 25 November 1995
Primary source citation: Copy of text provided by the United Nations
WE, THE MINISTERS PARTICIPATING IN THE MINISTERIAL SEGMENT OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, HELD IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA, ON 14 AND 15 NOVEMBER 1995;
1. REALIZE that biological diversity that comprises variability of genes, species and ecosystems is the world’s most valuable resource for the sustainability and welfare of all humankind;
2. NOTE that this second meeting of the Conference of the Parties coincides with the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence and of the creation of the United Nations Organization, and RECOGNIZE that such a historic moment offers an unequalled opportunity to further strengthen multilateral cooperation for promoting the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity for the benefit of present and future generations;
3. REAFFIRM the Convention as the legal instrument to advance the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources;
4. REGARD the Convention as a treaty with a global vision based on common concern and mutual assistance, recognition and articulation of national sovereignty over their own biological resources, particularly genetic resources, and recognition of national responsibility for conservation of biological diversity and for using biological resources sustainably and for creating conditions to facilitate access to genetic resources;
5. FURTHER RECOGNIZE that the Convention is based on mutual reliance and fair and equitable sharing of benefits for the prosperity of humankind;
6. REAFFIRM that, by becoming Parties to the Convention, our Governments have committed themselves to the Convention’s objectives and its provisions;
7. REAFFIRM the Convention as a global partnership, based on mutual assistance and international cooperation to achieve the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, for the benefit of present and future generations;
8. REAFFIRM ALSO that the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity provides the momentum for global agreement relating to the implementation of Article 19, paragraph 3, of the Convention on the consideration of the need for and modalities of a protocol on the safe transfer, handling and use of any living modified organism resulting from biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity;
9. RECOGNIZE the urgency of the task we face, and the individual and collective responsibilities of Parties to the Convention for the implementation of biological diversity conservation, sustainable use and sharing of benefits for the equitable welfare of all people;
10. AWARE of the need for more information and knowledge regarding biological diversity at all levels, and the need to implant the value of biological diversity in the minds and hearts of all people, STRESS the importance of promoting education on biological diversity at all levels of formal and non-formal education systems;
11. FURTHER REAFFIRM the importance of the clearing-house mechanism for technical and scientific cooperation in support of the implementation of the Convention at national level and emphasize the need for its accessibility to all countries;
12. ENCOURAGE the Convention, through its relevant organs to strengthen relationships with other relevant conventions and processes, including the Commission on Sustainable Development and its Intergovernmental Panel on Forests;
13. WELCOME the establishment of a position within the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on all issues pertaining to the implementation of Article 8(j) of the Convention related to indigenous and local communities;
14. REAFFIRM that there is a critical need for the Conference of the Parties to address the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, and urge Parties to initiate immediate action to implement the decisions adopted on this issue. In this context, WELCOME the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to play a major role in facilitating such implementation at the global and regional level and the declaration by the Conference of the Parties of the new global consensus on the importance of marine and coastal biological diversity as the “Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity”;
15. FURTHER ENCOURAGE the Conference of the Parties, through its relevant organs, to actively assist Parties to fulfill their obligations, especially through cooperation, collaboration and partnership;
16. URGE the international community to continue to take action and make every effort to assist developing countries to build their own institutional capacity, including human resource development, to conserve and use sustainable biological diversity including through in-situ and ex-situ conservation and to facilitate the transfer of technology in accordance with the provisions of the Convention;
17. URGE States involved in nuclear testing to take note of the views put forward by a significant number of Parties expressing their strong concern over the impacts of nuclear testing on biodiversity, in particular to the coastal and marine ecosystems and CALL on these States to cease nuclear testing and to conclude a comprehensive test ban treaty in 1996;
18. URGE States that have not yet done so to ratify of or accede to the Convention and to begin implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity;
19. CALL UPON all Governments and the citizens of our planet to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity on 29 December, reflecting our individual and joint responsibility for conserving and using biological diversity sustainably;
20. DECLARE that our Governments will continue to spare no effort in undertaking to fulfil the provisions of the Convention for the benefit of life on Earth, for present and future generations.