A concurrent resolution expressing the need for the Senate to provide advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

III 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 11 Expressing the need for the Senate to provide advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MAY 31 (legislative day, MAY 30), 2023 Mr. PADILLA submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Expressing the need for the Senate to provide advice and consent to ratification of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Whereas human actions are contributing to an unprecedented and increasing loss of biodiversity worldwide; Whereas nearly 1,000,000 species could be threatened with extinction; Whereas every United Nations member state has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, done at Rio de Janei- ro June 5, 1992, with the exception of the United States; Whereas the United States signed the Convention on Biologi- cal Diversity in 1993 but has not ratified the treaty; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:46 Jun 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SC11.IS SC11 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SCON 11 IS Whereas the United States, under current domestic law, is al- ready legally compliant with the obligations of the Con- vention; Whereas Federal agencies often design their plans to align with Convention on Biological Diversity initiatives; Whereas the absence of the United States from the Conven- tion on Biological Diversity limits the United States to holding the status of an ‘‘observer’’ to deliberations and decision making processes of the Convention on Biodiver- sity; Whereas, not being party to the Convention on Biological Di- versity, the United States does not have a vote within the convention, which diminishes our voice and influence; Whereas the decisions and rules made by the Convention on Biological Diversity affect both national security and eco- nomic interests of the United States in spite of the United States non-party status; Whereas the United States is one of the world’s largest con- tributors in international conservation funding and bio- logical diversity expertise; and Whereas we are inextricably interconnected on this planet, and the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity has a direct impact on all Americans: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 1 concurring), That it is in the national interest for the Sen- 2 ate to provide its advice and consent for the ratification 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:46 Jun 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SC11.IS SC11 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SCON 11 IS of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was 1 signed by the United States in New York on June 4, 1993. 2 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:46 Jun 01, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SC11.IS SC11 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS