In many cases, if not most, sustainable use is one of the strongest assurances for the protection of biological resources. As the adage goes, "Nature pays, so it stays". Indeed, the lessons derived from experiences of sustainable usage can be applied to all economic activities, including agriculture and livestock management, forestry, fisheries, biofuels production or bioprospecting. Under the general guidelines of sustainable management, healthy ecosystems result in economic and other benefits to people, and only then does their long-term survival become secure. As underlined in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, sustainable use is also an effective tool to combat poverty, and, consequently, to achieve sustainable development. In light of this, Decision VII/14 adopted the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. One of the challenges ahead for the CBD's activities under the theme of sustainable use is to develop a set of critical indicators for the monitoring of sustainable use in each category of use, both at the local and global levels.

The Biodiversity-related Conventions Liaison Group has developed an interactive CD-ROM on the applications of the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines (AAPG) for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. Ce CD explique les AAPG et leur pertinence dans le contexte de chacune des Conventions relatives à la biodiversité. Outre fournir des informations sur les applications des AAPG, le CD contient le texte intégral des principes et lignes directrices, des décisions, recommandations et résolutions pertinentes, des documents d'information, ainsi que d'autres matériaux, y compris des liens vers les sites Web correspondants. Cette collaboration entre les Conventions relatives à la biodiversité était dirigée par le Secrétariat de la CITES.

CD content is available for download by clicking here. Alternatively, you can request a copy of the CD by sending an e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int.