[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 47 (Monday, November 29, 1993)]
[Pages 2417-2418]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Congress Transmitting the Convention on Biological 
Diversity

 November 19, 1993

To the Senate of the United States:

    I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, the Convention on Biological Diversity, with Annexes, done 
at Rio de Janeiro, June 5, 1992, and signed by the United States in New 
York on June 4, 1993. The report of the Department of State is also 
enclosed for the information of the Senate.
    The final text of the Convention was adopted in Nairobi by the 
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Convention on Biological 
Diversity (INC) on May 22, 1992. The INC was preceded by three technical 
meetings of an Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity 
and two meetings of an Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical 
Experts. Five sessions of the INC were held, from June 1991 to May 1992. 
The Convention was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference 
on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro on June 5, 1992.
    The Convention is a comprehensive agreement, addressing the many 
facets of biological diversity. It will play a major role in stemming 
the loss of the earth's species, their habitats, and ecosystems through 
the Convention's obligations to conserve biodiversity and sustainably 
use its components as well as its provisions that facilitate access to 
genetic resources and access to and transfer of technology so crucial to 
long-term sustainable development of the earth's biological resources. 
The Convention will also create a much needed forum for focusing 
international activities and setting global priorities on biological 
diversity.
    The objectives of the Convention as set forth therein are the 
conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its 
components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out 
of the utilization of genetic resources. These objectives are 
implemented through specific provisions that address, inter alia, 
identification and monitoring, in situ and ex situ conservation, 
sustainable use, research and training, public education and awareness, 
impact assessment, access to genetic resources, access to and transfer 
of technology, technical and scientific cooperation, handling of 
biotechnology and distribution of its benefits, and financing.
    Economic incentives will help all Parties achieve the environmental 
benefits of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. 
The Administration thus supports the concept that benefits stemming from 
the use of genetic resources should flow back to those nations that act 
to conserve biological diversity and provide access to their genetic 
resources. We will strive to realize this objective of the Convention. 
As recognized in the Convention, the adequate and effective protection 
of intellectual property rights is another important economic incentive 
that encourages the development of innovative technologies, improving 
all Parties' ability to conserve and sustainably use biological 
resources. The Administration will therefore strongly resist any actions 
taken by Parties to the Convention that lead to inadequate levels of 
protection of intellectual property rights, and will continue to pursue 
a vigorous policy with respect to the adequate and effective protection 
of intellectual property rights in negotiations on bilateral and 
multilateral trade agreements. In this regard, the report of the 
Department of State provides a detailed statement of the 
Administration's position on those provisions of the Convention that 
relate to intellectual property rights.
    Biological diversity conservation in the United States is addressed 
through a tightly woven partnership of Federal, State, and private 
sector programs in management of our lands and waters and their resident 
and migratory species. There are hundreds of State and Federal laws and 
programs and an extensive system of Federal and State wildlife refuges, 
marine sanctuaries, wildlife management areas, recreation areas, parks, 
and forests. These existing programs and authorities are considered 
sufficient to enable any activities necessary to effectively implement 
our responsibilities under the Convention. The Administration does not 
intend to disrupt the existing balance of Federal and State authorities 
through this Convention. Indeed, the Administration is committed to 
expanding and strengthening these relationships. We

[[Page 2418]]

look forward to continued cooperation in conserving biological diversity 
and in promoting the sustainable use of its components.
    The Convention will enter into force on December 29, 1993. Prompt 
ratification will demonstrate the United States commitment to the 
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and will 
encourage other countries to do likewise. Furthermore, in light of the 
rapid entry into force of the Convention, early ratification will best 
allow the United States to fully represent its national interest at the 
first Conference of the Parties.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to this Convention and give its advice and consent to ratification, 
subject to the understandings described in the accompanying report of 
the Secretary of State.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
November 19, 1993.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.