69 The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),
opened for signature in 1992 at UNCED, is now a globally ratified international legal
instrument, with more than 165 states as of 15 January 1997. Through its Resolution IX on
Marine Biodiversity, the Eighteenth Session of the IOC Assembly (1995) has laid down the
institutional basis for IOC to co-operate with the Secretariat of the CBD, to exchange
information and coordinate further activities. The IOC has actively participated in the
major meetings related to the CBD since 1994. This has enabled the two Secretariats to
co-ordinate their coastal and marine biodiversity implementation strategies.
70 The MOU on co-operation stresses, inter alia,
the mutual use of the IOC relevant groups of experts and the CBD roster of experts on
coastal and marine biodiversity; the exchange of information on coastal and marine
biodiversity in the databases and clearing-house mechanisms; the exchange of views during
the preparation of their respective programme of work; and the joint implementation of
concrete actions, such as, the identification of indicators for assessment and monitoring
purpose and the promotion of the Jakarta Mandate thematic areas, in particular, integrated
coastal area management, alien species and the effect of pollution on coastal and marine
biodiversity.
71 The Assembly received with appreciation a
message from the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Annex IV).
90 The Assembly noted that awareness of
biodiversity issues is increasing and the related strategies to build information systems
relative to diversity assessments and to make them accessible.
91 The Assembly took note with appreciation
of the interest in disseminating the information and materials provided by the Expert
Centre for Taxonomic Identification (ETI) in Amsterdam, ETI being an NGO in operational
relation with UNESCO.
