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22 May: International Day for Biological Diversity

  • 21 May 2022

International Day for Biological Diversity is observed annually on 22 May to create awareness about the impact of Biodiversity loss.

  • 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.
  • The theme in 2022 is “Building a shared future for all life”. It complements the ongoing United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

Why to conserve Biological Diversity?

  • Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build civilizations. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about 3 billion people. Over 80 per cent of the human diet is provided by plants. As many as 80 per cent of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant‐based medicines for basic healthcare.
  • From ecosystem-based approaches to climate and/or nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better. That is the main message from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), key international instrument for sustainable development.

UN Agencies Pledge $43 mn to Boost Species Conservation

  • Developing countries will benefit from new funding totaling $43 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to enable them to implement projects that reverse species loss, UN agencies said in a statement released in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital on 20th May 2022.
  • The funding will benefit 139 developing countries, already grappling with mounting threats to natural habitats.
  • Each beneficiary country will be eligible for grants totaling 300,000 dollars to enable them to analyse and align their policies, targets, finance and monitoring system as a means of revitalising action on threats to biodiversity.
  • The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) will provide technical expertise to these developing countries to enable them to utilise the funds optimally and advance species protection.