Biological diversity is the variety of life on Earth, from the gene bacterial simple to the complex and vast jungle of the Amazon. Human beings are part of this diversity, as well as food, medicines, clothing and other biological resources which sustain us.

Recognizing the importance of biodiversity in our daily life and the pressure that human activities exert on the world we live in, the countries have adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, as a framework for action.

From the beginning, it was agreed that the scientific and technological knowledge would play a vital role in the implementation of the Convention. However, the specialized knowledge in information management and technology varies greatly from one country to another. For this reason, the Convention has established a facilitation mechanism to ensure that all countries access to the information and technologies necessary for their work in the area of biodiversity.