The present document is the first National Report of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It was drawn up with support from UNDP/GEF as an Enabling Activity through the “National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan” (NBSAP) Project, under the supervision of a Steering Committee, including representatives of the Department of the Environment, Department of Administration and Planning, Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Oil, Ministry of Jehad-e-Sazandegi (Construction and Rural Development), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Biodiversity sub-committee of the National Committee for Sustainable Development (NCSD), University of Teheran, Iranian Environmentalists Association (NGO) and UNDP.

During an initiation workshop in Tehran, held in February 1999, the importance of the preparation of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans was debated and discussed by national and international experts. During the workshop the guidelines set by the Steering Committee, IUCN and the international consultant were used to select the members of working groups from volunteers who wished to participate.