Thursday is International Day for Biological Diversity. The UN officially designated 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity in 2000 marking the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The date
In a message marking International Day for Biological Diversity the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said as biodiversity loss is a global crisis no nation –rich or powerful– can ignore it. Thus, he called all member states to radically rethink their relationship with nature.
“Biodiversity is the bedrock of life and a cornerstone of sustainable development. Yet humanity is destroying biodiversity at lightning pace, the result of pollution, climate crisis, ecosystem destruction and – ultimately – short-term interests fuelling the unsustainable use of our natural world,” Mr. Guterres said
The UN chief also urged to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the landmark agreement adopted to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
It is estimated that around three billion people eat fish for 20% of their animal protein intake, and 80 per cent of rural populations in developing countries rely on plant-based medicine.
“Living in harmony with nature and sustainable development is humanity’s path to a better world for all,” Guterres added.
Meanwhile, the UN economists said the booming ocean economy sustains hundreds of millions of people, but it is being squeezed dry by overfishing, pollution, climate change and waste.
According to the UN, the world’s ocean economies have grown 250 per cent since 1995, far outpacing the global economy, which grew by 190 per cent over the same period. Oceans also have massive untapped economic potential that is capable of delivering food security, creating jobs and driving global trade.
The UN Ocean Conference 2025 takes place in the French Riviera city of Nice from 9 to 13 June.
Today, 600 million people are sustained by and therefore dependent on the fishing industry alone, most of them in developing countries.
