Twenty years ago, the BioTrade Initiative was launched as the UNCTAD response to implementing the 1992 Earth Summit’s Agenda 21, the blueprint for sustainable development action into the twenty-first century.
The BioTrade Initiative aims at promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources through international trade and investment. It facilitates and supports national, regional and international BioTrade programmes, partnerships and businesses that have contributed to fighting biodiversity loss while ensuring the sustainable use of biological resources and ecosystems. The experiences, lessons and successes in the articles shared by BioTrade practitioners in this commemorative publication attest to the reach of BioTrade and the BioTrade Initiative. Thus, UNCTAD collaborates with Governments, the private sector and international organizations in developing and promoting BioTrade programmes and businesses that adhere to sustainable development principles, ethical sourcing of biological resources, access and sharing of benefits, proper traceability of products derived from biodiversity and awareness raising of the value of nature. Going forward, Sustainable Development Goal 15 sets a path for UNCTAD and the international community to use tried and tested approaches, such as those consistent with the BioTrade Initiative’s vision, to conserve and use nature sustainably to meet the needs of present populations without jeopardizing those of future generations.