At an international level, intergovernmental relationships are governed by mandatory international treaties and agreements.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty, already adhered to by approximately 200 parties (June 2016). The aim of the CBD is to preserve biological diversity and to enable the sustainable use and equitable sharing of its resources.

The contribution made by biological safety to the protection of biodiversity was considered to be of such great importance that it was given its own protocol under the CBD, the Cartagena Protocol. It regulates the transboundary movement (transport) of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) at a global level by the means of public international law. The aim is to ensure that no adverse effects on biological diversity or human health are caused by the import of GMOs.