GTI cooperation
Taxonomy is the science that detects, identifies, describes and classifies the diversity of life. In simple terms, taxonomy enables to identify species and to give them a name. It also places these species in the ‘tree of life’.
The Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) is a programme of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Its aim is to tackle the ‘taxonomic impediment’ that is hindering the implementation of the Convention.
Nowadays, taxonomy is undertaken by few scientists and institutions. Their expertise is insufficient to answer the many questions that remain unsolved. Consequently, people who need taxonomic knowledge to undertake their activities have difficulties to undertake them in an efficient way. This is the case, among others, in the fields of agriculture, health, biodiversity conservation and the international trade of species. The taxonomic impediment is particularly acute in many developing countries.
The objectives of the Global Taxonomy Initiative are to reduce the knowledge gaps and the shortage of experts. Belgium contributes to this initiative through the capacity building activities that arm the developing world with sufficient taxonomic capacity to autonomeously inventor, monitor and sustainably manage their own biodiversity.
