INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Human intrusion in the sphere of biological diversity and its consequences on human society is becoming all the more pertinent to discuss, while Covid 19 has tested our limits. Many researchers have linked the loss of biodiversity to health crises like the current one. Despite technological advancement, we are dependent on vibrant ecosystems for our continued survival. The Convention on Biological Diversity not only recognizes this but implicitly also recognizes the survival of biodiversity and cultures associated with it as an independent right in itself.

The United Nations has proclaimed on 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, December 29 (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 May 22 as IDB to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on May 22, 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 December 29, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

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The theme for 2021: We’re part of this solution

This theme has been chosen to continue with the theme of last year’s “Our solutions are in nature,” which reminds us that biological diversity is the answer to many developmental challenges that we face today.

If the solutions to the problems of climate change, water, and food scarcity, etc., are climate-based, then we will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The year 2021 will welcome more events relating to the conservation of biological diversity. The COP 15 to Conservation on Biological Diversity (CBD) will review the achievements of CBD’s Strategic Plan for 2011 to 2020. It is also anticipated that a post-2020 global framework will also be adopted. Besides, the efforts for sustainable biodiversity will be represented in two new decades for the period 2021-2030: the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Themes of past years:

2021 – We’re part of the solution

2020 – Our solutions are in nature

2019 – Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health

2018 – Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

2017 – Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism

2016 – Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods

2015 – Biodiversity for Sustainable Development

2014 – Island Biodiversity

2013 – Water and Biodiversity

2012 – Marine Biodiversity

2011 – Forest Biodiversity

2010 – Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation

2009 – Invasive Alien Species

2008 – Biodiversity and Agriculture

2007 – Biodiversity and Climate Change

2006 – Protect Biodiversity in Drylands

2005 – Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World

2004 – Biodiversity: Food, Water and Health for All

2003 – Biodiversity and poverty alleviation – challenges for sustainable development

2002 – Dedicated to forest biodiversity

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