The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is celebrated on 22 May every year to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity-related issues. The day commemorates the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nairobi, Kenya on 22 May 1992. The CBD was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio “Earth Summit”) and remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures. The CBD entered into force on 29 December 1993, 90 days after the 30th ratification.
According to the Secretariat of the CBD, “despite our technological advances, humans are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our health, water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, to name a few. This year’s IDB theme, “Our solutions are in nature”, emphasises the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. 2020 is a year of reflection, opportunity and solutions. All of us have the opportunity to reflect on how we can “Build back better” to increase the resilience of nations and communities as we recover from this pandemic.”
For Flora IP, “Our solutions are in nature” is a call to international, regional, sub-regional and national actors to pay close attention to the creative conservation of small-scale farmers genetic materials and related traditional knowledge, because they are our original sources of materials for medicines and food.
Happy International Day for Biological Diversity!
