Given their many benefits, protected areas are important instruments for meeting the Convention's targets of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.They form a vital element of the various thematic programmes of work, namely, marine and coastal biological diversity, inland water ecosystems biological diversity, dry and sub-humid lands biological diversity, forest biological diversity and mountain biological diversity. The central role of protected areas in implementing the objectives of the Convention has been repeatedly emphasized in decisions of the Conference of Parties. Less than 1 per cent of the Earth's marine area is covered. The protected-area network now covers about 11 per cent of Earth's land surface.

As a result, most countries have developed a system of protected areas. In addition, they also provide opportunities for research including for adaptive measures to cope with climate change, environmental education, recreation and tourism. They can contribute to poverty alleviation by providing employment opportunities and livelihoods to people living in and around them. They provide a range of goods and ecological services while preserving natural and cultural heritage.

Protected areas, together with conservation, sustainable use and restoration initiatives in the wider land-and seascape are essential components in national and global biodiversity conservation strategies. In situ conservation, sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources are dependent upon properly maintaining sufficient natural habitat.

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