The Theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity,2025: “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development” The world has grown and is progressing faster technologically.
In this fast-forward world, even if we have evolved highly technologically, it’s a non-arguable fact that we are utterly dependent on our ecosystem for our existence, for water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter, energy, and so forth. Biological diversity is the basis for building civilizations. When society leverages biodiversity, then we are also obliged to preserve, regard, and rejuvenate our biological system for today and tomorrow and sustain it for future generations as well. Environmental degradation threatens all, affecting society, health, the global cycle, and peace.
According to the proven study, reduction in biodiversity augments zoonoses- transferable disease from animals to humans- on the contrary, keeping biodiversity intact will provide excellent tools to help fight against pandemics like COVID-19. To spread awareness and understanding of biological diversity, the UN decided to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity annually. Some essential projects and plans were introduced to the world. Let’s have a look at it.
Convention on Biological Diversity: An International Legal Instrument for Sustainable Growth
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the essential international legal instrument introduced for “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources”, sanctioned by 196 countries.
What does it aim for?
The main motive is to uplift voices and actions that support and lead to a sustainable future. It was inaugurated for the conservation of biological diversity. It was an inspired step taken to sustain resources to accomplish our future generations’ needs and to rehabilitate wildlife habitat.
Flashing Light on the History of the Convention on Biological Diversity
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convoked the AD HOC Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity in 1988 to address the exigency for an international convention on biological diversity.
: An international legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity was primed by the AD Hoc Working Group of Technical and Legal Experts, which was established in May 1989.
: The experts bear in mind “the need to share costs and benefits between developed and developing countries” as well as “ways and means to support innovation by local people”.
: By February 1991, the AD Hoc Working Group became recognised as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee.
: On May 22, 1992, the committee round off its work with the Nairobi Conference for the adoption of the agreed text of the convention on biological diversity.
: On June 5, 1992, the convention was opened for ratification at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio “Earth Summit”).
: It continued open for signature up to 4 June 1993, by then it was agreed by 168 countries.
: The convention came into force on 29 December 1993, 90 days following the 30th ratification.
: The first plenary of the conference of the parties was lined up for 28 November- 9 December 1994 in the Bahamas.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Highlights, Plans and Targets to be Procured
* In December 2022, the world merged and concurred on a global plan to transform the kinship between humans and flora and fauna. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework specifies 23 targets for 2030 and 5 global goals for 2050 to stop and reverse the loss of nature in 25 years.
* Amid its aspirations- restore 20% of the declined ecosphere and diminish the introduction or settlement of intrusive alien species by 50%.
The Theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity,2025: “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”
The theme of the 2025 edition goes with the linkages between the KMGBF and the SDGs at the aim level and makes up the essence of the 2025 campaign. The campaign is also inculcating a critical response. In 2025, five more years will remain to achieve both the KMGBF and the 2030 Agenda before the 23 action targets of the former and the 17 SDGs of the latter terminating the period that the world ratified.
This year’s theme shed the limelight on each individual’s role in participating in the campaign and contributing to it by a simple act of kindness, making aware their social circle and spreading information about the targets. By standing united, we can achieve this.
Several organisations, including UNESCO and UNU-IAS, host events and take initiatives to spread word about it encourage measures to conserve biodiversity for our save and sustained future.
