This site uses cookies in order to function as expected. By continuing, you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
Agree and close

Implementation

Scientific institutions

Several scientific institutions playing a major role for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are under the supervision of the Belgian Federal government.

Release date	20/04/2006

	The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), is the biggest natural history museum and research institute in Belgium. It houses rich zoological, paleontological, prehistoric and geological collections. Its expertise cover biodiversity in Belgium and worldwide. The RBINS has been designated as 'National Focal Point to the Convention on Biological Diversity' and as the 'Belgian Focal Points for the Clearing-House Mechanism', for the 'Global Taxonomy Initiative' and for the 'Subsidiary Body for Technical and Technological Cooperation'.
	For the protection and sustainable management of the North Sea, the leading role is played by the Management Unit of the Mathematical Models of the North Sea and the Scheldt Estuary (a RBINS department since 1998).
	The Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) is a museum and research institute focusing, among others, on the biodiversity of living species in the context of their natural environments in Africa, particularly Central Africa. It holds the world's largest biodiversity collection of Central Africa, offering a complete cross-section of reference material from many taxa. It is also a major reference centre for other issues concerning Central Africa, such as cultural anthropology, geology and mineralogy, history and agricultural and forest economy.
	The Scientific Institute of Public Health (IPH), formerly called the Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology, operates under the authority of the Federal Department of Public Health, Food Chain Security and the Environment. It is in charge of the scientific support to the federal biosafety policy. The Section of Biosafety and Biotechnology of the IPH has been designated 'Belgian Focal Point for the Biosafety Clearing House'.