This publication has been compiled by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEPl World Conservation Monitoring Centre, with support from the Swedish Scientific Council on Biological Diversity, lUCN- The World Conservation Union, the International Council on Mining and Metals, and Shell International Limited. It provides a synthesis of key issues relating to protected areas and biodiversity for CBD Parties and decision makers at their meeting in February 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as well as to other stakeholders in planning, establishing and managing protected areas. The Seventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties presents a window of opportunity to further strengthen global action on protected areas in the endeavour to significantly reduce the rate of loss of biological diversity by 2010. At the same time, such actions will support a range of linked initiatives, including the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSDI Plan of Implementation, the Millennium Development Goals and the Durban Accord and Action Plan arising from the Vth World Parks Congress held in 2003.