International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is celebrated every year May 22 globally. The day was declared by the United Nations (UN) to raise awareness and increase understanding of biodiversity issues. Biological Diversity is not limited to nature alone, but also plants, animals, microorganisms and different ecosystems.
Theme for the year 2020: Our solutions are in nature.
The theme emphasizes hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature.
Key Points:
i.The theme will cover 3 essential topics during the week leading up to the observance: May 18 will cover the importance of knowledge and science, May 19-21 May will raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity & finally the day of the observance, will issue a call to action.
ii.The year 2020 signifies the 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.
iii.The year 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.
iv.The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the UN Biodiversity Summit, highlights the urgency of action at the highest levels in support of a post- 2020 global biodiversity framework.
v.History of the day: The day was 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). 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.
About United Nations (UN):
Headquarters– New York City, United States (US).
Secretary-general– António Guterres.
