Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its contribution to sustainable development A/RES/73/234 Recognizing that the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention is crucial for sustainable development, poverty eradication, food security and the improvement of human well-being and a major factor underpinning the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, Reaffirming that, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental policies and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, Recalling that, in its resolution 65/161, the General Assembly declared 2011–2020 the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, with a view to contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, 11 Recognizing that the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities that are relevant to the Convention make a key contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and that their wider application can support social well-being and sustainable livelihoods, Taking note of the decision adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its thirteenth meeting entitled “Article 8 (j) and related provisions”, 12 decision CBD/CP/MOP/VIII/19 13 and decision CBD/NP/MOP/DEC/2/7, 14 Recalling the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 15 and the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, 16 Recognizing the vital role that women play in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and reaffirming the need for the full participation of women at all levels of policymaking and implementation for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, Welcoming the 2015–2020 Gender Plan of Action under the Convention on Biological Diversity, 17 which intends to integrate a gender perspective and promote gender equality within the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Recognizing the important role of other biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 18 in contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and in ensuring that no species entering into __________________ 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18-22557 United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/10/27, annex, decision X/2, annex. United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/13/25, decision XIII/18. Adopted by the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety at its eighth meeting (see United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/CP/MOP/8/17). Adopted by the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization at its second meeting (see United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/NP/MOP/2/13). Resolution 61/295, annex. Resolution 69/2. United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/12/29, sect. I, decision XII/7, annex. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 993, No. 14537. 3/10