22 May 2016: The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) was celebrated globally on 22 May 2016 on the theme ‘Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.’

The theme was closely linked to the focus of the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held from 4-17 December 2016, in Cancun, Mexico. It highlights biodiversity as the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems, and as underpinning peoples’ livelihoods and sustainable development, including economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism.

In his message on the Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that biodiversity is an important cross-cutting issue in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adding that it is critical to make progress in mainstreaming biodiversity and transforming how societies value and manage it. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner stressed that reversing biodiversity loss requires action by all sectors and stakeholders and drew attention to the second session of the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA-2).

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) highlighted its work with regard to the conservation of the critically endangered vaquita, through a combination of refuges, protected areas and mainstreaming conservation considerations in fisheries. Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), highlighted the spirit of cooperation and solidarity that exists among the various biodiversity-related treaties. The CMS further drew attention to ecotourism initiatives and pollinators as examples of the contribution of migratory species to sustainable human development.

Shakeel Bhatti, Secretary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR), underscored that the conservation and sustainable use and propagation of biodiversity in agriculture is key to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the ITPGR held a special event to celebrate the Day on 19 May in Geneva, Switzerland. The event explored the role of the ITPGR in sustaining people and their livelihoods and mainstreaming plant biodiversity. Also to mark the Day, Bioversity International of the CGIAR Consortium drew attention to its Payment for Agrobiodiversity Conservation Services scheme, which focuses on the conservation and use of quinoa.

The need to further develop and advance mechanisms for mainstreaming biodiversity across strategic sectors was also highlighted in the Toyama communiqué, issued by G7 environment ministers following their meeting held from 15-16 May 2016, in Toyama, Japan. [UN Press Release] [CBD Webpage on the IDB] [CBD Promotional Material] [Messages for IDB] [ITPGR Press Release] [ITPGR Event Webpage] [GEF Press Release] [CMS Press Release] [G7 Communiqué] [CBD Press Release on G7 Communiqué] [Bioversity International Press Release]