22 May 2011 - International Day for Biological Diversity

Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend.

The Convention on biological diversity establishes three main goals:

• The conservation of biological diversity,
• The sustainable use of its components, and
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. 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 Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity has developed for the 2011 edition of the IDB a booklet  2011 “Forest Biodiversity, Earth’s Living Treasure”. This booklet highlights the value of forests for people, threats to forest biodiversity and actions that each of us can take to promote conservation and sustainable use.

The Secretariat encourages also the participation to the IDB 2011 by signing up for the Green Wave, a tree planting initiative.

Previous editions of the Biological Diversity Day