Contents: Introduction: the emergence of biodiversity governance, Philippe G. Le Prestre; The story of the biodiversity convention: from negotiation to implementation, Desiree M. McGraw; The Cartagena protocol on biosafety, FranA§ois Pythoud and Urs P. Thomas; Studying the effectiveness of the CBD, Philippe G. Le Prestre; The operation of the CBD convention governance system, Philippe G. Le Prestre; The clearing-house mechanism: an effective tool for implementing the convention on biological diversity?, Genevieve Reed; The emergence and implementation of the advance informed agreement procedure, Amanda Wolf; The fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the exploitation of genetic resources: a difficult transition from principles to reality, FranA§ois Blais; The role of indigenous peoples in conservation actions: a case study of cultural differences and conversation priorities, Catherine Potvin, Jean-Pierre Reveret, Genevieve Patenaude and Jane Hutton; The CBD, the WTO and the FAO: the emergence of phytogenetic governance, Urs P. Thomas; The science and policy of global biodiversity protection, Louis Guay; Economics and biodiversity management, Jean-Pierre Reveret and Alain Webster; Development of Canadian policy on and the protection of marine diversity, Paule Halley; Devoted friends: the implementation of the convention on biological diversity in Madagascar, Mark Hufty and Frank Muttenzer; Conclusion: the long road to a new order, Philippe G. Le Prestre. Annexes: Chronology of the convention on biological diversity; Dimensions of the CBD; The convention on biological diversity; Bibliography; Index.