Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130s thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission^f1,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament^f2,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^f3,

Whereas the Community and its Member States participated in the negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme for the preparation of a Convention on Biological Diversity;

Whereas, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity was signed by the Community and all of its Member States;

Whereas the Convention, pursuant to Article 34 thereof, is open for ratification, acceptance or approval by Member States and by regional economic integration organizations;

Whereas the protection of the environment is one of the Community's objectives, in accordance with Article 130r of the Treaty, which includes the conservation of nature and biological diversity;

Whereas the Community has already implemented many measures in those territories to which the Treaty applies, to safeguard biological diversity; whereas these measures make and will continue to make a significant contribution to the conservation of biodiversity worldwide;

Whereas the conservation of biological diversity is a global concern and it is therefore appropriate for the Community and its Member States to participate in international efforts with the same goal, particularly by encouraging the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and in attaining agreed rules about utilization and sharing the benefits which are generated;

Whereas, in view of the measures the Community has already adopted in some of the areas covered by the Convention, the Community should also act in these areas at an international level;

Whereas it is desirable for the Community and its Member States to become Contracting Parties, in the context of their respective powers in the areas covered by the Convention, so that all the obligations laid down in the Convention can be properly fulfilled;

Whereas the Convention should therefore be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: