International Day for Biological Diversity

The United Nations has proclaimed 22 May as 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.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main objectives: conservation of biological diversity; sustainable use of the components of biological diversity; fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
This year’s theme “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda for the period of 2015-2030 and the relevance of biodiversity for the achievement of sustainable development.
Humanity’s fate is tightly linked with biological diversity – the variety of life on earth. Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development and human well-being.
Biodiversity is essential for achieving sustainable development and global priorities including poverty eradication. It is important that any future post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals not erode, but embrace and build upon the Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets..