International Day for Biological Diversity

22 May

Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human wellbeing in the present and in the future, and its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. According to the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services released in 2019 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) at UNESCO, the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, over-exploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanization. The Global Report demonstrated the responsibility of human activities in the loss of biodiversity, which amounted to 75% for terrestrial ecosystems. This assessment also indicated that solutions existed and that it was not too late to act.

To halt or reverse this decline it is vital to transform people’s roles, actions and relationships with biodiversity. Many solutions exist: UNESCO’s diverse networks, programmes and partners have observed positive and inspiring seeds of change around the world. UNESCO also accompanies Member States and their people in their efforts to halt biodiversity loss by understanding, appreciating, safeguarding and using biodiversity sustainably.

Now is time to act for biodiversity! The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

This International Day is part of the year 2020 defined as a super year for biodiversity with major events planned (and for most postponed to a later date) such as the IUCN World Conservation Congress, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the UN Biodiversity Forum.

The theme of the 2020 International Day for Biological Diversity is “Our Solutions are in Nature”

It shows that "Biodiversity remains the answer to a number of sustainable development challenges that we all face. From nature-based solutions to climate, to food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity remains the basis for a sustainable future." (CBD, 2020)

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

"Every year, in late May and early June, UNESCO celebrates three major international days which are an important opportunity to consider together the three systemic pillars of climate change: biodiversity, the environment and the oceans. This year, at a time when the world has been struggling with an unprecedented pandemic for many weeks, these days are the occasion to remind us once again that it is only with a cross-cutting and ambitious approach that we can build a more ecologically-sustainable future. Of these three pillars, it is without doubt biodiversity that has been the most talked about in these recent weeks of widespread lockdown. The retreat into the private sphere and the desertion of most public spaces have temporarily blurred the sharing of space between humans and other species. "

— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity

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WHAT UNESCO DOES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

UNESCO's commitment to biodiversity

Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme

Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity

The Links between Biological and Cultural Diversity

CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY: DESIGNATED SITES

Biosphere Reserves

Elephants in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve/Benin

Natural World Heritage

UNESCO Global Geoparks

CELEBRATIONS OF THE DAY IN 2019

Under the theme “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”, the International Day for Biological Diversity 2019 highlights the fundamental significance of biodiversity for our food and health, as well as its role for food system transforming and health improvement.