To promote taxonomy via local partnerships so that countries can build the capacities needed know and identify the organisms that constitute and threaten their biodiversity and address their sustainable development and conservation priorities.

 
A world in which taxonomic expertise, resources, tools and information are rapidly and locally accessible in forms appropriate for meeting conservation, agriculture, trade, health and other sustainable development needs.

Approach
BioNET is founded on the understanding that building, enhancing and sustaining scientific and technical capacities requires a long-term, partnership based approach.  Financially and institutionally sustainable yet effective solutions to meeting taxonomic needs are best realised through enhanced local capacities and greater international cooperation.  Duplication of capacity by each country is both impractical and unrealistic.  Technologies make the sharing of resources and expertise more affordable and practical year on year.

The LOOPs
BioNET has worked with governments and scientists to establish a series of subregional partnerships for taxonomy known as LOOPs (Locally Owned and Operated Partnerships) comprising institutions and individuals concerned with taxonomy.  Established LOOPs are found in nine developing country subregions and proposals for two further LOOPs are under consideration by governments.  The LOOPs, together with BioNET's international partners, comprise BioNET's global partnership for taxonomy.

LOOPs are permanent structures enjoying formal governmental and institutional commitments.  They are governed by a Coordinating Committee made up of national Coordinators and invited partners.  LOOPs provide affliated institutions with a cost-effective and locally-driven mechanism for meeting taxonomic needs through capacity building, cooperation and technology transfer.  Open to all taxonomists, whatever their specialism, LOOPs provide a unique platform for advocacy and action for this still declining yet vital branch of science. 

LOOPs strive to transcend sectoral boundaries in their activities and communications.  Key to their approach is the engagement of end-users from biodiversity, agriculture, quarantine, plant health, conservation, biosafety and other areas in partnerships with taxonomists.  Activities depend on insitutional, government and donor commitments and funding. 

LOOP capacity building activities and services typically fall into five categories:
1. Training of taxonomists and supporting professionals.
2. Specimen and literature collections.
3. Biodiversity information.
4. New tools and technologies.
5. Communications.

Support for the Global Taxonomy Initiative, the CBD and other conventions
BioNET is particularly focused on assisting countries implement the various multilateral environmental agreements such as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), especially the latter’s taxonomic capacity building component, the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI).  The subregional LOOPs have been recognised as appropriate structures through which many of the regional components of the GTI Programme of Work can be most effectively implemented.

BioNET's Secretariat
The LOOPs are supported by a small Secretariat.  The initial focus was on helping governments and scientists establish LOOPs and win them recognition among international partners.  With much of the global partnership established, the Secretariat is now seeking to secure its future and continue its support for LOOP project development work, advocacy for taxonomy among decision-makers and promotion of the global partnership.