Meeting of the CBD

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    Celebration of International Biodiversity Day at the Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 22 May 2008

    Related Resources

    CBD Web site

    COP 9: Bonn, Germany, May 19-30, 2008

    International Day for Biodiversity

    Text of the Convention

    BIO Website

    CropLife International Website

    Convention on Biological DiversityWelcome delegates to the ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Sustainable Agriculture remains one of the most important issues discussed in CBD negotiations and will be a significant issue discussed in the International Biodiversity Day on 22 May 2008.  To help inform everyone involved, Monsanto offers this page as a resource to find out more about agricultural sustainability, stewardship, conservation, social responsibility and philanthropy.

    Growers and Experts Speak about Benefits of GMO

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    Benefits of Biotechnology in Agriculture
    Biotech crops have been grown worldwide for more than a decade. Welcome to the one place where you can hear about the benefits of genetically modified foods and crops from the people who know best — the farmers and families who grow GM crops and the experts who research and study the benefits of biotechnology in agriculture.

    Global Facts about the Advantages of GMO Foods and Crops
    After a 12 years of use on more than 1.7 billion acres (690.9 million hectares) worldwide, plant biotechnology delivers proven economic and environmental benefits, a solid record of safe use and promising products for our future.

    Sustainable Agriculture Projects

    Water Efficient Maize for Africa Project
    A public-private partnership to develop drought-tolerant maize varieties for Africa. The partnership, known as WEMA, was formed in response to a growing call by African farmers, leaders, and scientists to address the devastating effects of drought on small-scale farmers and their families. In partnership with several NGOs, Monsanto will provide proprietary germplasm, advanced breeding tools and expertise royalty free.

    Seed Donation in Malawi
    Since 2002, the people of Malawi have experienced chronic food shortages due to drought, poverty, and low crop yields. In 2006, 5 million people were in dire need of food aid. A Monsanto team saw an opportunity to address the food shortage and to increase local food self-sufficiency through the donation of 700 metric tons of quality hybrid maize seed — enough to reach 140,000 resource-poor farmers.

    Stewardship and Conservation

    Stewardship
    Various Monsanto teams focus on product stewardship from lab to field: financial stewardship to ensure that financial standards are met; environmental, safety and health stewardship to protect the safety of our people, communities and the environment; and societal engagement to consider whether we are doing the right things and doing them right.

    Conservation Tillage and Biotechnology
    Few people outside agriculture have noticed or paid attention, but conservation tillage has been a major change that has positively affected everyone. This movement away from the plow has been a quiet revolution.

    Our Pledge and Corporate Responsibility

    Our Pledge
    We want to make the world a better place for future generations. As an agricultural company, Monsanto can do this best by providing value through the products and systems we offer to farmers.


    Monsanto and Corporate Responsibility
    At Monsanto, we strive to develop, manufacture and deliver products that provide societal, environmental and economic value. Our Pledge guides all that we do, helps us convert our values to actions and results, and makes clear who we are and what we champion.


    Recent Executive Speeches

    Reflections: Stories of How Modern Farming has Touched People's Lives