Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research Establishment Proclamation (No. 120/1998).

The Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research is established as an autonomous Federal Government Organ that shall be accountable to the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization. The objective of the Institute shall be to cause and ensure the appropriate conservation, research, development and sustainable utilization of the biodiversity of Ethiopia. “Biodiversity” is here defined as “the variability among living organisms, including plants, animals and microorganisms, and the ecological complexes of which they are part and this includes diversity within species (genes), between species and ecosystems” (art. 2). Powers and duties of the Institute are outlined in article 6. It shall propose legislation and policies, explore and survey biodiversity, be responsible for conservation of the country’s biological resources, coordinate conservation and research programmes, carry out re-stocking of local races, enrich Ethiopia’s biodiversity through other means, implement international conventions, conduct research on ecosystems, develop regional and international cooperation, etc. The Authority shall be managed by a General Manager. Powers of the Manager are defined in article 9. Supervision of the Institute is entrusted to Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization Board. Its powers and duties are outlined in article 8.