The Government of Korea announced national measures as a follow up to the results of the Seventh Meeting of the Conference (COP 7) of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was held on February 9-20 in Malaysia.


At the conference, the governments agreed to identify indicators and scientific monitoring methods that lend themselves to accurate measurements on biodiversity status. The issue of gaining access to genetic resources and sharing the resulting benefits was highly complex, and new talks were launched on how to craft an international regime on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing. Furthermore, the governments stressed the need to develop Clearing House Mechanisms for effective technology transfer.


In addition to making endeavors for successful implementation of the conference outcomes, the Government of Korea announced national measures to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss. The government is to construct the "National Biological Resources Center" by the year 2006, with a total investment of USD 50 million. Furthermore, the "Comprehensive Measures to Preserve Biological Resources" will be developed this year, aimed at enhancing studies on biological resources, preserving indigenous species, fostering experts in biological classification, and developing the roadmap for biological resources preservation. Relevant financial resources will be secured while expert groups and cooperative system, like the ''National Biodiversity Research Group", will be expanded in stages. In addition, the MOE plans to develop biodiversity information sharing network by this year, to provide services via internet in both English and Korean.