The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.
The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May 2020 is “Our solutions are in nature”
As the global community is called to re-examine its relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our health, water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few. The slogan “Our solutions are in nature” emphasises hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.
2020 is a year of reflection, opportunity and solutions. It is expected, from each of us, that we will “Build Back Better” by using this time to increase the resilience of nations and communities as we recover from this pandemic. 2020 is the year when, more than ever, the world can signal a strong will for a global framework that will “bend the curve” on biodiversity loss for the benefit of humans and all life on Earth.
The theme will cover 3 essential topics during the week leading up to the observance: 18 May will cover the importance of knowledge and science; 19-21 May will raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity; and finally, the day of the observance, will issue a call to action.
2020 will witness the final period of the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan on Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, as well as the UN Decade on Biodiversity, leading to the transitional phase for the start of other new pivotal biodiversity-related decades for the period 2021-2030: the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; and the UN Biodiversity Summit, in order to highlight the urgency of action at the highest levels in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
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What is biological diversity?
The biological diversity is often known as a wide range of plants, livestock, and microorganisms, but it also includes genetic differences within each species — for example between crop and livestock varieties — and the different ecosystems (lakes, forests, deserts, agricultural landscapes).
Resources for biological diversity are the pillars on which we build civilizations. Fish supply nearly 3 billion people with 20% of animal protein. Plants provide more than 80% of the human diet. In developing countries, up to 80 percent of people live in rural areas rely on traditional plant-based basic health care medicines.
Themes
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2020 – Our solutions are in nature
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2019 – Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health
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2018 – Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity
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2017 – Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism
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2016 – Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods
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2015 – Biodiversity for Sustainable Development
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2014 – Island Biodiversity
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2013 – Water and Biodiversity
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2012 – Marine Biodiversity
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2011 – Forest Biodiversity
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2010 – Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation
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2009 – Invasive Alien Species
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2008 – Biodiversity and Agriculture
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2007 – Biodiversity and Climate Change
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2006 – Protect Biodiversity in Drylands
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2005 – Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World
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2004 – Biodiversity: Food, Water and Health for All
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2003 – Biodiversity and poverty alleviation – challenges for sustainable development
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2002 – Dedicated to forest biodiversity
Facts about Biological Diversity Day
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Recent negative trends on biodiversity and ecosystems will weaken enhancements in the 8 Sustainable Development Goals towards 80% of the targets assessed.
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There is now a threat of extinction for 1 million animals and plant species.
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Biodiversity remains the basis of a sustainable future for health and healthy livelihoods.
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Human activities have substantially altered three-quarters of the land-based ecosystem and about 66% of the aquatic environment.
