The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ratified its membership to the Convention on Biological Diversity on August 1, 1996, which was signed during the “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. The Convention on Biological Diversity is the framework within which countries, signatory to this agreement, can develop mechanisms to combat the crisis posed by the increasing rate of extinction of the world’s plant and animal species, as well as the loss of ecosystems. Article 18, paragraph 3, of the Convention on Biological Diversity establishes a clearing-house mechanism to promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation between countries; and to develop a global mechanism for exchanging and integrating information on biodiversity. The clearing-house is coordinated by the Executive Secretary of the Convention and overseen and guided by an Informal Advisory Committee established by the Parties to the Convention.

Trinidad and Tobago has a high abundance and variety of biological resources due to its location, size and geological relationship with the South American continent. Historically the people of Trinidad and Tobago have strong linkages to the biological resources of the country, mainly through agriculture, fishing, recreation, tourism and culture. The successful implementation of the objectives of the Convention therefore requires the active involvement of all stakeholders.

It is hoped that this information platform on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity will provide the international community and more importantly the general public of Trinidad and Tobago with easy access to knowledge about issues relating to the country’s biological resources. This website will also assist in facilitating the involvement of the general public in the management of the biological resources of Trinidad and Tobago.