The Third BioTrade Congress, jointly organized by UNCTAD and the Convention on Biological Diversity, will take place on the occasion of the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP12), at the Alpensia Convention Center in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea on 6-17 October 2014.
The congress is a parallel event taking place during the Business and Biodiversity Forum, and participants will discuss key trends and emerging approaches for the sustainable production and commercialization of biodiversity-based products and services ("BioTrade").
The following issues are set for discussion:
Engaging businesses in achieving the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the sustainable development goals
The implications of the Nagoya Protocol for developing BioTrade and biodiversity businesses
Practical tools for sustainable sourcing and use of biodiversity
Sustainable supply and ethical demand from the business perspective
As an internationally recognized tool for conserving biodiversity while ensuring inclusive economic growth and social development, BioTrade is at the center of the CBD's main objectives, which are:
Conservation of biological diversity
Sustainable use of its components
Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources
As such, the BioTrade Congresses are a well-known platform for BioTrade and biodiversity stakeholders from the private sector, governments and civil society to share their experiences, best practices and challenges with the aim of strengthening the linkages between them.
Taking advantage of the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on 12 October, UNCTAD and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will officially launch their "Handbook on Intellectual Property Implications of the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol".
In addition, a compilation of fifteen BioTrade case studies in Latin America will be officially presented during a lunch event sponsored by UNCTAD and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) at the CBD Business and Biodiversity Forum.
