The United Nations observes May 22 as International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged all to work together to preserve biodiversity and help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Preserving and sustainably managing biodiversity is necessary for mitigating climate disruption, guaranteeing water and food security and even preventing pandemics. As we seek to build back better from the current crisis, let us work together to preserve biodiversity so we can achieve our SDGs. That is how we will protect health and well-being for generations to come,” the UN chief said in his message.

Significance of biodiversity

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 urbanisation. 

The report demonstrated the responsibility of human activities in the loss of biodiversity, which amounted to 75 per cent 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. 

How was the day selected?

While there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to future generations, the number of species is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. Given the importance of public education and awareness about this issue, the UN decided to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity annually.

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 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 December 29, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

The theme for 2020 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,” a statement said.

Super year for biodiversity

This International Day is part of the year 2020 defined as a super year for biodiversity.

The year 2020 will witness: 

* The final period of the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan on Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

* 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.

* The UN Biodiversity Summit, at the level of heads of State and government, in order to highlight the urgency of action at the highest levels in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework that contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and places the global community on a path towards realizing the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.

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