The preparation of Burundi's Fourth Report is in line with article 26 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and decision VIII/14 of the Conference of the Parties. Thus, with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the National Institute for Environment and Nature Conservation, the National Focal Point Institute of the CBD, in collaboration with UNDP, received the mandate to prepare the Fourth Country Report in order to submit it by 30 March 2009 at the latest.

This national report provides an overview of the status and trends of biological diversity at the national level, as well as the main threats to it. It assesses the implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans and reports on progress towards the 2010 target. This report also shows the needs and future priorities for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Fourth Report of Burundi will contribute to the preparation of the third edition of the report, entitled “Global Biodiversity Perspectives”