Go to the full list of GBIF Participants.

The Governing Board has established its Rules of Procedure. The Rules further elaborate on the provisions in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the structure of the Governing Board, meetings, requirements for participation, voting and the establishment of subsidiary bodies.

There are two modes of participation:

Voting Rights on the Board are limited to countries (governments). Voting Participants are willing to observe the provisions of the MoU and to make a financial contribution as outlined in Paragraph 9 of the MoU.

These Participants have voting rights on the GBIF Governing Board and other advantages (see the benefits accrued to GBIF Voting Participants). Each country has one vote on the Governing Board, independent of the amount of its financial contribution to GBIF.

There are two categories of Assoicate Participants.

Associate Country Participants are countries that are not yet making financial contributions to GBIF as outlined in Paragraph 9 of the MoU. Associate Country Participants may take part in the deliberations of the Governing Board, but may not vote.

The category of an Associate Participant Country is a temporary category of up to five years duration from the date when the Associate Participant Country signs the MoU. During this period the Associate Participant Country may decide to become either a Voting Participant in accordance with Paragraph 4.2 of the MoU, or an Observer in accordance with Paragraph 4.4 or may withdraw from GBIF.

By becoming a Voting Participant countries will gain the advantages of the status (see benefits accrued to GBIF Voting Participants).

Associate Country Participants may apply to the Executive Committee for an extension of time as an Associate Participant Country if plans for moving to Votig Participant status cannot be accomplished within five years after signing the MoU.

Intergovernmental organisations, international organisations, other organisations with an international scope and economies are categorised as Other Associate Participants and are not eligible to become Voting Participants. This category is not limited in time.

Associate Participants are encouraged to take part in the deliberations of the Governing Board, but may not vote.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is invited to designate a non-voting representative to the Governing Board.

Countries or organisations or other international bodies that have not signed the MoU, but are interested in sharing biodiversity data and follow the activities of GBIF, may be recognized by the GBIF Governing Board as observers as well as former Associate Countries deciding to be observers.