CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD) 

The Convention on Biological Diversity establishes the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to provide the Conference of the Parties and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. 
For more information on the SBSTTA as a scientific advisory process see the background profile.

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES: 

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

SBSTTA does not actually conduct monitoring or data collection itself. Its work is concerned mainly with the review of materials and assessment of data and analyses from competent national, regional and international organizations. During the first meeting of the COP, it was agreed that the SBSTTA should complement and not duplicate the scientific and technical work undertaken by other relevant bodies. The mandate for SBSTTA states: 'The SBSTTA may thus wish to consider how to establish institutional working relations with other relevant scientific and technical intergovernmental bodies to make the best use of their expertise. Particular attention may be paid to the scientific organs established under international environmental conventions and legal instruments directly related to the objectives of the Convention.' 

Data Source: Global Biodiversity Forum, ICSU-Diversitas, Intergovernmental Forum on Forests, etc. 

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization

Assessment and Analysis
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) provides the Conference of the Parties and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. The terms of reference of the SBSTTA as contained in paragraph 2 of Article 25 of the Convention, are to: 
1. Provide scientific and technical assessments of the status of biological diversity; 
2. Provide scientific and technical assessments of the effects of types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of this Convention; 
3. Identify innovative, efficient and state-of-the-art technologies and know-how relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and advise on the ways and means of promoting development and/or transferring such technologies; 
4. Provide advice on scientific programmes and international cooperation in research and development related to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity; 
5. Respond to scientific, technical, technological and methodological questions that the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies may put to the body. 
The work of SBSTTA is driven by the programme of work of the Conference of the Parties and participants are representatives of governments. 

- CBD actively cooperates with FAO on agricultural biodiversity and plant genetics and with IFF on forests. 
-  A memorandum of cooperation between the CITES and CBD Secretariats was signed stressing the development of working relations with organizations addressing trade and intellectual property rights. 
-  STAP-GEF is actively collaborating with CBD SBSTTA. It is currently organizing a workshop on the sustainable use of biodiversity and related social, economic and ecological dimensions such as the interplay between local and global benefits, possible indicators, best practices and case studies on the sustainable use of marine and arid ecosystems. 

The first meeting of the SBSTTA recommended the establishment of a roster of experts with experience and expertise in the fields of relevance to the Convention. The roster is based on nominations received in writing from the Parties and from competent entities and is to be updated by the Clearing-House Mechanism for technical and scientific cooperation when this mechanism is fully operational. Rosters of Experts have been established for four ecosystems. The aim is that SBSTTA will produce multidisciplinary assessments based on an ecosystems approach. 

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination is via the Clearing-House Mechanism for technical and scientific cooperation 

Network Development and Support: 

Capacity-Building:

Internet Access

http://www.biodiv.org/

Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) 
 http://www.biodiv.org/sbstta.html

Clearing-house Mechanism 
CHM SERVER: http://www.biodiv.org/chm/
CHM DATABASE: http://www.biodiv.org/chm//url-db.htm
CHM BIOSEEK: http://www.biodiv.org/chm//bioseek.htm

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 
World Trade Centre 
393 St Jacques Street, Office 300 
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2Y 1N9 
Telephone: +1-514-288-2220 
Fax: +1-514-288-6588 
E-mail: biodiv@mtl.net 

Marc Auer 
Programme Officer 
Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) 
Convention on Biological Diversity 
Secretariat 
393 Rue St. Jacques, Office 300 
Montreal, H2Y 1N9 
Quebec, Canada 
Telephone:  +1 514 288 2220 
Fax: +1 514 288 2495 
Email:  marc.auer@biodiv.org 
Direct line: +1 514 287 7024 
Direct eFax: +1 815 361 3075  Our Reference: <31-00> 

Date of preparation: 7 May 1999, updated 26 February 2001  

ORGANIZATION: CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)