BIODIVERSITY DAY 2013

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.

 

Water is essential for life. No living being on planet Earth can survive without it. It is a prerequisite for human health and well-being as well as for the preservation of the environment.

The theme Water and Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. Water and Biodiversity is the theme for International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) in 2013. Designation of IDB 2013 on the theme of water provides Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the public at large the opportunity to raise awareness about this vital issue, and to increase positive action. Read the notification. Coincidently, the period 2005-2015 is the International Decade for Action 'WATER FOR LIFE'. 

 

 

What impact does climate change have on ecosystems and species? Are we threatened?  How does biodiversity influence climate change? What can we do, how can we get involved?

These are some of the questions the 2013 global Biodiversity Days shall look at and discuss.

Since 2001, The German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) and the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)  and GEO Magazine have been partnering to organize and cover national action days for biological diversity in various countries around the globe.

Encouraged by these successful experiences, 2013 will continue with a scaling-up of the initiative with thematic days and media coverage in selected countries on all continents. The focus will be on the interdependence of climate change and biodiversity as well as its implications for human well-being.

The goal is to raise awareness and promote the conservation of biodiversity on a local and global level.

Stay tuned for upcoming news and the launch of the biodiversity days in 2013!