International Day For Biological Diversity 2024; May 22nd.

FORUM: “Be part of the Plan” International Day For Biological Diversity 2024. The theme is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the The Biodiversity Plan. The Biodiversity Plan offers opportunities for cooperation and partnerships among diverse actors. Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to highlight the ways in which they are supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan. Everyone has a role to play and therefore can Be Part of the Plan. Read the full notification with more information about this year's theme and Learn about the plan. Now the world has the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (agreement), the focus must quickly shift to its implementation (action). Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #PartOfThePlan, #ForNature, #BiodiversityDay, #22May, #biodiversity, #KMGBF, #HarmonyWithNature,#ForNature, #ActionDecade.

EVENTS: on May 22nd at United Nations Headquarters, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Biodiversity, the IPBeS, the UNESCO Man and the biosphere (MAB) programme, the UN Environment, the UNDP, the UNCCD, the UNFCCC, the UNEP/CMS, the CITES Secretariat, the FAO, the Ramsar secretary and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will celebrate the International Day For Biological Diversity 2024 along with the United Nations Member States, governments, indigenous peoples, local communities, non-governmental organizations and concerned individuals are pleased to invite you to debate on the theme. This year the celebration of IDB will coincide with two meetings of Subsidiary Bodies of the Convention on Biological Diversity both taking place in Nairobi, namely: the twenty-sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA, 13-18 May) and the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI, 21-29 May). The IDB 2024 observance is expected to increase the visibility momentum in the lead-up to the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), to be held in Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024. Register to participate and get the IDB2024 Agenda programme.

Local celebrations: The IDB 2024 events are scheduled to take place around the world. Find out what is happening near you or online in this (non-exhaustive) list - Canada (2) - Germany (1) - Hungary (1) - Iceland (2) - India (7) - Indonesia (1) - Iraq (1) - Italy (4) - Malaysia (1) - Morocco (1) - Myanmar (1) -Netherlands (Kingdom of the) (3) - Nigeria (1) - Paraguay (1) - Philippines (2) - Poland (1) - Portugal (1) - Romania (2) - Somalia (1) - Spain (1) - Sweden (1) -Switzerland (1) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2) - United States of America (2) - Viet Nam (2).


Flagship celebrations: International Geneva on the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan - The COP 15 Presidency celebrates IDB 2024 - The COP 16 Presidency-Designate in celebration of the 2024 IDB - The Parties to the CBD on the observance of the International Day for Biological Diversity -The Birds Canada in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity

STATEMENTS: Read the Message from the U.N. Secretary General on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2024; May 22nd.

Messages: Read the High-level messages from the COP 15 Presidency-Statement from Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of PCR on IBD 2024, the COP 14 Presidency - Statement from Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment of Egypt, the COP 10 Presidency - Statement from Shintaro Ito, Minister of the Environment, Japan, the Written statement of the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change on IDB 2024, the Incoming COP 16 Presidency - Statement from Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment, Colombia on IDB2024, the Statement from Ibrahim Thiaw, Under-Secretary-General & Executive Secretary of the UNCCD on IDB2024, the statement of the Executive Secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds on IDB2024, the statement of the secretary-general of CITES on IDB2024, the Statement of the executive-secretary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) on IDB2024, the Statement from Qu Dongyu, Director-General, FAO on IBD2024, the Statement from Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Global Environment Facility CEO and Chairperson on IBD2024, the Statement from Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on IDB2024, the Statement from Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC on IBD2024, the Statement from Prof. Dr. Shen Xiaomeng, Vice-Rector in Europe and Director of UNU-EHS and The Endorsement messages made for this occasion.

LIVESTREAM: International Day for Biodiversity Celebrations.

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22nd as International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated.

Statement of the U.N. Secretary-General on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2024; May 22nd.


The world’s complex web of biological diversity sustains all life on earth. Yet it is unravelling at alarming speed – and humanity is to blame.

We are contaminating land, oceans, and freshwater with toxic pollution, wrecking landscapes and ecosystems, and disrupting our precious climate with greenhouse gas emissions. Decimating biodiversity damages sustainable development today, and creates a dangerous and uncertain tomorrow.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework offers a pathway to reverse loss and restore biodiversity – while creating jobs, building resilience, and spurring sustainable development.

Governments must lead. But as this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity reminds us, we are all “Part of the Plan” – we all have a role to play. Indigenous Peoples, business, financial institutions, local and regional authorities, civil society, women, young people, and academia must work together to value, protect and restore biodiversity in a way that benefits everyone.

As we mark this Day for Biological Diversity, let us commit to be Part of the Plan. Let us act urgently to put biodiversity on a path to recovery. And let us build ambition to CBD COP16 in October to protect the planet and create a more sustainable future for us all.

United Nations Secretary-General.

COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS

World Day to Combat Desertification is observed every year on 17 June.

12 June 2012

Secretary-General SG/SM/14346 ENV/DEV/1287 OBV/1113

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

‘Without Healthy Soil, Life on Earth is Unsustainable,’ Says Secretary-General, Urging States to Ensure Sustainable Land Management Part of Rio+20 Legacy

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the World Day to Combat Desertification, which is observed 17 June:

The World Day to Combat Desertification falls this year on the eve of the

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.  Global efforts to halt and reverse land degradation are integral to creating the future we want.  Sustainable land use is a prerequisite for lifting billions from poverty, enabling food and nutrition security, and safeguarding water supplies.  It is a cornerstone of sustainable development.

The people who live in the world’s arid lands, which occupy more than 40 per cent of our planet’s land area, are among the poorest and most vulnerable to hunger.  We will not achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 without preserving the soils on which their subsistence depends. 

Nor will we be able to guarantee our freshwater resources, 70 per cent of which are already used for agriculture.  By 2030, the demand for water is projected to rise by 35 per cent.  Unless we change our land-use practices, we face the prospect of diminishing and inadequate water supplies, as well as more frequent and intense droughts. 

Further, by 2050, we will need sufficient productive land to feed an estimated 9 billion people with per capita consumption levels greater than those of today.  This will be impossible if soil loss continues at its current pace — an annual loss of 75 billion tons.  Important land-use decisions need to be made, as well as critical investments ranging from extension services for small farmers to the latest technology to support environmentally sustainable mass food production.

Rio+20 is our opportunity to showcase the many smart and effective land management systems and options that exist or are in the pipeline.  Twenty years on from the adoption of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, let us ensure that a commitment to sustainable land management features prominently in the official outcome at Rio and in the wider mobilization for sustainability that will also be part of Rio’s legacy.  Without healthy soil, life on Earth is unsustainable.

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For information media • not an official record