The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, and entered into force on 29 December 1993. With 188 Parties to date, the CBD is a legally-binding instrument that aims to promote "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources."

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) was established to support the goals of the Convention.

Its principal functions are to prepare for, and service, meetings of the Conferences of the Parties (COP) and other subsidiary bodies of the Convention, and to coordinate with other relevant international bodies.

The COP9 was hosted by Germany and take place in Bonn from 19th to 30th May 2008.