PURPOSE: The term biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. Biodiversity includes not only species we consider rare, threatened, or endangered but also every living thing—from humans to organisms we know little about, such as microbes, fungi, and invertebrates. Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better. The date of 22 May was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues and to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity on this day in 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the conference.
FORUM: "Harmony with nature and sustainable development." International Day For Biological Diversity 2025. The IDB campaign seeks to focus the world’s attention on the linkages between the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Goals and Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) as two universal agendas that must be pursued in tandem in the spirit of the recently adopted Pact for the future. Now the world has the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (agreement), the focus must quickly shift to its implementation (action). Progress in halting and reversing biodiversity loss is crucial for the attainment of the SDGs. Conversely, the pursuit of the SDGs catalyzes or brings about the transformations that, according to the latest assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), are needed to fulfill the vision adopted within the KMGBF: living in harmony with nature. This interactive tool illustrates the linkages between the KMGBF and the SDGs at target-level and will constitute a central piece of the IDB 2025 campaign. This campaign is also about instilling a sense of urgency and advocating for accelerated implementation. In 2025, both the KMGBF and the 2030 Agenda will have five more years before the 23 action targets of the former, and the 17 SDGs of the latter come to the end of the period that the world agreed for their implementation.
The specific objectives of the IDB 2025 campaign are:
to bolster public awareness of the centrality of biodiversity to all life on Earth, including socio-economic challenges such as poverty and inequality that are covered by the full set of SDGs.
to call for the rapid preparation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) that are (a) aligned with the KMGBF and (b) integrated into National Sustainable Development Strategies guided with the SDGs, leaving no one behind.
to highlight the importance of seizing synergies at all levels, including through a whole-of-government, whole-of-society implementation, with the UN system bringing its support to national actors through consolidated UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks reflecting the KMGBF and the SDGs.
to encourage bolder initiatives by all actors, including the private sector, civil society and the media. These initiatives can range from communicating biodiversity science, advocating for the accelerated implementation of the SDGs and the KMGBF and initiating the required transformations to decouple socio-economic progress from the destruction of nature.
Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #PartOfThePlan, #ForNature, #BiodiversityDay, #22May, #biodiversity, #KMGBF, #HarmonyWithNature,#ForNature, #ActionDecade .
EVENTS: on May 22nd at United Nations Headquarters, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Biodiversity, the IPBeS, the UNESCO Man and the biosphere (MAB) programme, the UN Environment, the UNDP, the UNCCD, the UNFCCC, the UNEP/CMS, the CITES Secretariat, the FAO, the Ramsar secretary and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will celebrate the International Day For Biological Diversity 2025 along with the United Nations Member States, governments, indigenous peoples, local communities, non-governmental organizations and concerned individuals to debate on the theme. Register to participate and get the IDB2025 Agenda programme.
Featured Events
From 20 - 22 May 2025, in Kunming, Yunnan, China, the Third International Agrobiodiversity Congress entitled ‘‘Agrobiodiversity For People and Planet’’ will be held.
On 22 May 2025, starting at 09:00 (EDT)/15:00(SAST), Online Webinar entitled ‘‘Integrating Biodiversity & Urban Development Subnational Action Towards ‘Harmony with Nature & Sustainable Development’, will be hosed by the ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, Follow the Registration link.
On 22 May 2025, From 13:15 – 15:00 (CEST), in Geneva, Switzerland will be held the International Biodiversity Day Celebration 2025 at the Geneva Environment Network.
On 22 may, from 17:45 – 21:00 (EDT) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; will be held the Soirée biodiversité : État des engagements de la COP15/COP16 et leadership jeunesse, Ateliers pour la biodiversité,
Local celebrations: The IDB 2025 events are scheduled to take place around the world. Find out what is happening near you or online in this (non-exhaustive) list - Canada (2) - Germany (1) - Hungary (1) - Iceland (2) - India (7) - Indonesia (1) - Iraq (1) - Italy (4) - Malaysia (1) - Morocco (1) - Myanmar (1) -Netherlands (Kingdom of the) (3) - Nigeria (1) - Paraguay (1) - Philippines (2) - Poland (1) - Portugal (1) - Romania (2) - Somalia (1) - Spain (1) - Sweden (1) -Switzerland (1) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2) - United States of America (2) - Viet Nam (2).
STATEMENTS: Read the Message from the U.N. Secretary General on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025; May 22nd., the Message from Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025; May 22nd, and the message from Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, CBD on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025; May 22nd.
From COP Presidencies: Watch the COP 16 President: Video message from H.E. Lena Yanina Estrada Asito, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia; The Incoming COP 17 Host: Video message from H.E. Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia; The COP 15 Presidency: Written statement from H.E. Huang Runqui, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China; The COP 14 Presidency: Video message from H.E. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment of Egypt; The COP 10 Presidency: Video message from H.E. Keiichiro Asao, Minister of the Environment of Japan;The COP 7 Presidency: Written statement from H.E. Nik Nazmi Bin Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability
From Parties: Read The European Union: Video message from H.E. Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy; The Finland: Video message from H.E. Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment; The Germany: Video message from H.E. Carsten Schneider, Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate, Nature Conservation & Nuclear Safety; The Hungary: Video message from H.E. Dr. István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture of Hungary; The Mexico: Video message from the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (National Commission of Natural Protected Areas of Mexico); The Poland: Written statement from H.E. Mikołaj Dorożała, Undersecretary of State, Chief Conservator of Nature in Poland; The Zimbabwe: Written statement from Prof. Edson Gandiwa, Director General, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
From Partners: Read the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity: Video message from Dr. Jerome Montemayor, Executive Director; The Alpine Convention: Written statement from Alenka Smerkolj, Secretary General; The Biomimicry Institute: Video message; The Commission for Environmental Cooperation: Video message from Jorge Daniel Taillant, Executive Director; The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Video message from Paz J Benavidez II, Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations, Department of Agriculture, and Chairperson of FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture ; The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Video message from Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General; The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals: Written statement by Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary; The Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR): Video message from Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General; The Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative: Written statement from Dr. Elin Angharad Thomas, DOSI Communications Manager; The Global Environment Facility: Written statement by Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson; The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Video message from Qu Dongyu, Director-General; The Forética: Video message from Germán Granda, Director General; The Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean – (FILAC): Video message from Mr. Dario Darío Mejía Montalvo, Technical Secretary of FILAC; International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB): Video message from Lucy Mulenkei, Co-chair and The Video message from Ramiro Batzin, Co-chair; The International Organization for Standardization: Video message from Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General; The ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center: Written statement from Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General of ICLEI and Global Director of ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center; The International Tropical Timber Organization: Video message from Sheam Satkuru, Executive Director; The International Whaling Commission: Video message from Martha Rojas Urrego, Executive Secretary; The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES): Written statement from Neville Ash, Officer in Charge of the IPBES Secretariat; The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States: Video message from Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General; The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification: Video message from Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary; The United Nations Development Programme: Video message from Achim Steiner, Administrator; The United Nations Environment Programme, World Conservation Monitoring Centre: Video message from Neville Ash, Director; The United Nations Office of Legal Affairs and United Nations Legal Counsel: Video message from Elinor Hammarskjöld, Under-Secretary-General; The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: Video message from Dr. Martín Zordan, CEO; The World Farmers' Organization: Video message from Fiona Simson (Australia), WFO Vice President, National Farmers' Federation (NFF); The WWF International: Video message from Efraim Gomez, Global Director for Policy Impact.
The good news is that it is within our power to change our actions to help ensure the survival of species and the health and integrity of ecological systems. By understanding threats to biodiversity, and how they play out in context, we can be best prepared to manage conservation challenges. The conservation efforts of the last decades have made a significant difference in the state of biodiversity today. Over 100,000 protected areas—including national parks, wildlife refuges, game reserves, and marine protected areas, managed both by governments and local communities—provide habitat for wildlife, and help keep deforestation in check. When protecting habitat is not enough, other types of conservation actions such as restoration, reintroduction, and the control of invasive species, have had positive impacts. And these efforts have been bolstered by continuous efforts to improve environmental policies at local, regional, and global scales.
Finally, the lifestyle choices of individuals and communities can have a large effect on their impacts on biodiversity and the environment. While we might not be able to prevent all negative human impacts on biodiversity, with knowledge we can work to change the direction and shape of our effects on the rest of life on Earth.
PODCASTS: Every remaining day before the United Nations Biodiversity Conference counts to make your voice heard loud and clear: Let the world know that you wish for a strong global biodiversity framework that will “bend the curve” on biodiversity loss. Let the world know that you care about your future! Listen to the audio podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: In the run-up to 22 May observance, you are invited to Take action or inspiration. Anyone can organize activities; You are in the best position to know what awareness-raising campaigns and calls to action are feasible at your national level. Send a video message. The Action Toolkit, the Interactive tool, The full l ogo package, the Visual Identity Guide, the dedicated IDB 2025 Trello Board are available. Explore the poster in English, in Arabic/ العربية , in Chinese/ 中文, in French/ Français, in Russian/ Русский and in Spanish/ Español. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
Biodiversity is ... The web of life that connects us all The foundation of our lives and well-being And so much more On #BiodiversityDay and every day, let's protect the #biodiversity, we all depend on.
The Lists of 22 actions for biodiversity will be released gradually for various audiences to inspire action for nature. The actions are aligned with the new global biodiversity framework. You are called to:
Adopt any of the 22 actions or propose your own actions or lists
Share photos/videos of your action(s) on social media
The Past Thematics of the day:
GET INVOLVED!
A New Global Framework for Managing Nature Through 2030: The Framework comprises 21 targets and 10 ‘milestones’ proposed for 2030, en route to ‘living in harmony with nature’ by 2050. Key targets include:
Ensure that at least 30 per cent globally of land areas and of sea areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and its contributions to people, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes.
Prevent or reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by 50%,and control or eradicate such species to eliminate or reduce their impacts.
Reduce nutrients lost to the environment by at least half, pesticides by at least two thirds, and eliminate discharge of plastic waste.
Use ecosystem-based approaches to contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change, contributing at least 10 GtCO2e per year to mitigation; and ensure that all mitigation and adaptation efforts avoid negative impacts on biodiversity.
Redirect, repurpose, reform or eliminate incentives harmful for biodiversity in a just and equitable way, reducing them by at least $500 billion per year.
Increase financial resources from all sources to at least US$ 200 billion per year, including new, additional and effective financial resources, increasing by at least US$ 10 billion per year international financial flows to developing countries, leveraging private finance, and increasing domestic resource mobilization, taking into account national biodiversity finance planning.
Build a shared future for all life.
INITIATIVES
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Engage governments, donor institutions, relevant organizations, and island champions to develop projects and activities necessary to address biodiversity loss and sustainable livelihoods.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International day for Biological Diversity is organized by The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); The U.N. Environment; The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).; The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO);The World Wildlife Fund (WWF); The Catalogue of Life; The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), The The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS); The Atlas of Living Australia; The ALGAEBASE: Listing of world’s Algae; The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL); The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA); The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS secretariat); The Animal Diversity Web; The eBird, The International union of Soil Science (IUSS); The Geoscience Australia; The RAMSAR CONVENTION; The GRID-ARENDAL; The U.N. Spider; The NASA EARTH Observatoty System; the UN-OCEANS; The FISHbase and many others.