The Convention states the fundamental principles of integrating the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into all national and economic decision-making. Additionally, the principles of protection and sustainable use should be applied to natural resources outside the actual protected areas. The Convention obliges the Contracting Parties to identify components of biological diversity as well as to identify threats to biological diversity. The information obtained from these activities is important in the realization of plans and aims related to protection and sustainable use of biological diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity has created new needs for knowledge when states endeavour to act in accordance with the agreements signed.
New information is needed in research, administration as well as in economy.
The Ministries of Trade and Industry, Transport and Communications, Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, inter alia, have under their respective jurisdictions started to prepare actions needed in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. Versatile and scientifically profound research is an essential prerequisite for these actions. One of the objectives of the Academy of Finland is to advance high-quality research in issues related to biodiversity. The Council of State decision of 21 December 1995 stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary research programme for biological diversity, which should be prepared by the Academy of Finland. The programme aims at promoting knowledge of biological diversity as well as of conserving biological diversity when using the natural resources.