Protected Areas - International Policy: Working to Stop Biodiversity Loss Around the World

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COP 9 Documents

Download electronic versions of the documents we’re distributing in Bonn.

TNC in Europa (in deutscher Sprache)

Go Deeper

Stopping the Fire Ant in the Pacific Island
Find out how Conservancy partners and scientists in the Pacific are working to stop the spread of the red fire ant by sharing information and management expertise through learning networks.

Small Country, Big Leadership
Find out how Palau is leading the world in coral reef and island conservation efforts under the leadership of President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.

COP 9 in the News

German Chancellor Merkel Pledges Additional €500 million for Forest Protection (International Herald Tribune). Rebecca Patton says the contribution will provide funding for international conservation at "a level that will really make a difference."

Caribbean Nations Plan Marine Parks to Aid Economy (Reuters). The newswire has the rundown on the Caribbean Challenge and a quote from the Conservancy's Rob Weary.

New Biofuel Source May not be Food, But they Could Prove Invasive (International Herald Tribune). The Conservancy’s Stas Burgiel calls for governments to assess the potential for biofuel crops to become invasives.

Fuel Crops Pose Invasion Risk (BBC). Burgiel calls for more scientific research in developing nations where biofuels are being introduced.

Biofuels a Risk for Wildlife in New Habitats (Reuters). The newswire notes, “Fast-growing foreign crops used as biofuels can disrupt new habitats by ousting local plants and animals.”

COP 9: Scientists studying in Australia

Highlights from COP 9

Animals, plants and their habitats are vanishing at an accelerating rate—from the Yangtze River dolphin to the Ivory Bill Woodpecker.

Action is needed now to stop the destruction of nature and preserve the diversity of life on Earth — before it is too late.

COP 9: An Urgent Meeting to Preserve Life on Earth

The United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the single most important global forum through which governments can come together to take action to stop global biodiversity loss — including the loss of species, habitats and the natural resources on which we all depend.

Every two years, more than 190 governments that are signatories to the convention come together to find solutions to pressing issues facing our planet — from deforestation to over-fishing.

This May, the ninth meeting of the parties to the Convention (COP9) will take place in Bonn, Germany. Decisions made here will be critical for conservation. The Nature Conservancy will be working with others to support government decisions aimed at:

Stopping the spread of invasive species — one of the top causes of biodiversity loss around the world
Increasing funding for the conservation of unique coral reefs and coastal areas in the Caribbean, Micronesia and Indonesia.
Strengthening the management of national park systems around the world.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Mark Godfrey/TNC (scientists in the Asia Pacific region); Photo © European Community (European Union flag).