This conference served as a forum both identifying a concrete strategy for salvaging biodiversity in highly threatened areas and for developing a proactive plan for biodiversity conservation in the large remaining wilderness areas. Three components were addressed during this meeting:

1. The status of biodiversity was assessed through large-scale analyses of biodiversity conservation as well as by examining case studies to identify causal relationships between drivers of development and biodiversity loss.
2. The major present and future threats to biodiversity were identified as well as new opportunities for conservation that can be feasibly instituted in a reasonable timeframe.
3. An integrated action plan for biodiversity conservation was developed comprising concrete actions that can lead to major gains in our efforts to conserve biodiversity.

The conference was a major platform for discussing the present status of biodiversity and for identifying strategic issues and actions that should represent a blueprint for future conservation efforts.

This conference brought together a wide and varied group of participants, including government, private industry, research, and conservation organizations. For the first time, world leaders from the private, scientific, and decision-making sectors were all present to discuss issues related to the goal of producing an integrated biodiversity conservation strategy, and to propose actions that could be implemented immediately. Such strategies will allow us to successfully confront the complex biodiversity conservation challenges for the next decade in a proactive manner.

The conference included an opening presentation session followed by several, thematic plenaries and group discussions, culminated with the presentation of a final agenda and action plan.