The trade-related work under the Convention captures the different aspects of the complex relationship between international trade and the objectives and provisions of the Convention.

• The production of value-added goods and services derived from biodiversity, both for domestic and for international markets (“Biotrade”) may generate incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Accordingly, a number of thematic programmes of work under the Convention call for the increased marketing of products derived from sustainable use (see pages on market creation for further information).

• The Conference of the Parties adopted a provisional framework of goals and targets to enhance the evaluation of achievements and progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Convention. Target 4.3 of this framework calls for no species of wild flora and fauna to be endangered by international trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the key partner in implementing this target, and both Conventions are cooperating closely to implement this target, including through the liaison group of biodiversity-related Conventions.

• While the Convention on Biological Diversity does not require measures that are directly related to international trade, there is a close relationship between many of its provisions – as well as those of its Biosafety Protocol – and the multilateral rules and provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO). For instance, the Parties to the Convention have emphasized the interrelationship between the Convention and the provisions of the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs), and the need to further explore this interrelationship. Similarly, Parties have underlined the relationship between the Biosafety Protocol and the provisions of the WTO Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS). Accordingly, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to closely interact and cooperate with the relevant Committees of the WTO as well as with its Secretariat on these issues of mutual interest, and to also examine the impact of trade liberalization on biodiversity.