Background

In April 2002, the Parties to the Convention committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.

This target was subsequently endorsed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the United Nations General Assembly and was incorporated as a new target under the Millennium Development Goals.

The Conference of the Parties has considered the 2010 Target during deliberations on the Convention's Stragic Plan during its 6th, 7th 8th and 9th meetings. At COP 9, the Parties further considered the evoluation of the Strategic Plan beyond 2010 in it's Decision IX9.