International Day for Biological Diversity

Introduction

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.

IDB theme 2024 - Be part of the Plan

“Be part of the Plan”, the theme of IDB 2024, 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. 

On 19 December 2023, the one-year anniversary of the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity launched “The Biodiversity Plan” campaign aiming to communicate and promote the 4 Goals and the 23 Targets of the Framework to the world. Communicating the Biodiversity Plan is crucial to enabling a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that will take the world from agreement to action.

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.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of steps you can take to be part of the Plan: 

1. Protect and restore
   • Add new healthy or local foods to your diet. Moderate consumption of meat and fish reduces pressure on natural resources. Consume fruit and vegetables in season. 
   • Reduce waste by shopping sensibly. Compost food waste.  Repair, re-use and recycle anything from home appliances to clothing.
   • Learn how your use of chemicals (example: chemicals contained in detergents, pesticides and cosmetics) affects biodiversity and use this knowledge to adopt environmentally friendly alternatives.
2. Prosper with nature
   • Choose fresh produce from local markets and support bio-products. Favor products with fair trade certifications or eco-friendly labels when making purchasing decisions.
   • Support and promote ecological tourism. Your next adventure does not have to leave a giant carbon footprint: consider nearby destinations. Explain the value of biodiversity to those around you. There is plenty of fun to be had while avoiding activities that disturb fauna and flora.
3. Share benefits fairly
   • Learn about the concept of benefit-sharing that is enshrined in Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol that complements it.
   • Respect the knowledge, practices and innovations of indigenous peoples and local communities in relation to biodiversity and recognize their rights to land and resources.
4. Invest and collaborate
   • Enquire about corporate social responsibility policies before buying a company’s products. Invest in green businesses or start a green business of your own.
   • Engage with political officials from your region and/or with local representatives (example: the Member of Parliament for your region and/or the mayor of your city) and request information on what the authorities are doing to implement the Biodiversity Plan. 

Related Resources

1. 22 Actions for Biodiversity
2. All about The Convention on Biological Diversity
3. Aichi Biodiversity Targets
4. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
5. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing
6. The State of the World’s Forests 2022.

Source : Convention on Biological diversity