The main objective of the Working Group is, at both national and international levels, to improve implementation of the CBD. The Working Group with this objective wants to contribute to the three aims of the CBD: to conserve biodiversity, to sustainably use biodiversity, and to equitably share the benefits arising from the use of biodiversity.

Therefore, the Working Group co-ordinates advocacy work of NGOs at national level and  raises public awareness. It develops positions, and challenges Government and Parliament. For international cooperation, the Working Group is available as contact partner.

With the invitation of the German Government to hold the Ninth Conference of Parties (COP9) in 2008 in Germany, the Working Group has taken up the task to co-ordinate the NGO preparations at national level, and to act as service point for international co-ordination of preparations by NGOs as well as indigenous communities and social movements.

A project group was set up to carry out COP9 related activities. It also includes preparation of the NGO activities accompanying the Fourth Meeting of Parties (MOP4) of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which will take place in conjunction with COP9.

Main topics include:

• Co-ordination of civil society activities to prepare COP9 and to accompany the international negotiations.
• Activities to improve national implementation of the CBD.
• Crop and livestock genetic resources, and in-situ conservation
• Rights of indigenous and local communities
• Gene technologies in the North/South context and the Biosafety Protocol