MEDIA LAUNCH New UN Report Forecasts Consequences of Biodiversity Loss Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 (GBO-3), Have We Reached the Tipping Point for Planet Earth? WHEN Monday 10 May 2010, 12:30 pm WHERE Nairobi, Kenya UNEP Press Centre, UN Compound, GIGIRI WHAT A new United Nations report, Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3), forecasts new consequences for people and communities across the world if more isn't done. The GBO-3 report reveals: The extent of biodiversity loss since 2002 How close we are to 'the tipping point' If the ongoing reduction in our planet's fragile biodiversity is avoidable even at the 11th hour What key issues the world leaders will need to urgently address in Japan during the Conference of the Parties (COP 10), due to take place in Nagoya from 10-29 October 2010. Whether leaders have succeeded, or failed, to tackle the growing threat to the planet' s fragile ecosystem by 2010. The report, produced by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),will be launched in Nairobi on 10 May 2010, as well as at other centres around the world. WHO: Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Enivironment Programme (UNEP) Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Thomas Lovejoy, President of the Heinz Centre for Science, Economics and the Environment Paul Leadley, Paul Leadley, Université Paris-Sud XI, France, head of Biodiversity Futures Study Spencer Thomas, Chairperson of the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice of the CBD TRANSPORT Transport to the UN Compound will be provided by UNEP. 10:30 am from Chester House. For more information, please contact: Shereen Zorba, Head, UNEP Newsdesk Tel. +254 (0) 713 601 259, Email. shereen.zorba@unep.org David Ainsworth, CBD Information Officer, Tel.  +1 514 833 0196, Email. david.ainsworth@cbd.int BACKGROUND NOTE 1. Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 (GBO-3), like its two predecessors published in four-yearly intervals since 2002, results from a decision of the Conference of Parties to the CBD It is the productof close collaboration between the Secretariat of the CBD and the United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). The Outlook has been produced according to a transparent, rigorous process of review. Two separate drafts were made available for review via the Internet during 2009, and comments from some 200 reviewers were considered. The whole production has been supervised by an Advisory Group, and the second draft was subjected to scientific review by a panel comprising leading scientists from governments, inter-governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations. The principal sources on which GBO3 is based include: An analysis of the current status and trends of biodiversity, carried out by the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, a network of organizations coordinated by UNEP-WCMC; A study of scenarios and models regarding biodiversity in the 21st Century, involving a wide range of scientists under the auspices of the Diversitas network and UNEP-WCMC; Some 500 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and assessments from inter-governmental and non-governmental bodies reviewed for the Outlook. 110 national reports on biodiversity submitted by governments to the CBD. 2. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and entering into force in December 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits from utilization of genetic resources. With 193 Parties, the Convention has near universal participation among countries committed to preserving life on Earth. The Convention seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, including threats from climate change, through scientific assessments, the development of tools, incentives and processes, the transfer of technologies and good practices and the full and active involvement of relevant stakeholders including indigenous and local communities, youth, NGOs, women and the business community. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety a supplementary treaty to the Convention seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. To date, 157 countries and the European Community are party to the Protocol. The Secretariat of the Convention and its Cartagena Protocol is located in Montreal. www.cbd.int/ 3. 2010 International Year of Biodiversity  The United Nations declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) to raise awareness about the crucial importance of biodiversity, to communicate the human costs of biodiversity loss, and to engage people, particularly youth, throughout the world in the fight to protect all life on Earth. Initiatives will be organized throughout the year to disseminate information, promote the protection of biodiversity and encourage countries, organizations, and individuals to take direct action to reduce biodiversity loss. The focal point for the year is the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.  www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/