International Day for Biological Diversity 2025

On 22 May, we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity, to raise awareness of the vital importance of preserving biodiversity. As a global hub for environmental governance, Geneva is home to many organizations active in safeguarding biodiversity. #BiodiversityDay #ForNature

About

The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated each year on May 22, aims to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Although it was originally celebrated in late December, the UN General Assembly later decided to move the date to 22 May, which commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992.

Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human well-being in the present and in the future, and its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. According to the latest Global Assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), human activities are driving biodiversity loss at an unprecedented rate. However, the assessment also indicated that solutions existed and that it was not too late to act.

2025 Theme: Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development

The IDB 2025 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.

Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth. It is fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet, and economic prosperity for all people. We depend on it for food, medicine, energy, clean air and water, protection from natural disasters as well as recreation and cultural inspiration.
The KMGBF sets out an ambitious blueprint for the transformation of our societies’ relationship with nature, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals and the Pact for the future.
The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals brings about or catalyzes society- and economy-wide transformations, including in agrifood systems, infrastructure, industry, energy systems consumption and production patterns, water and ecosystem management, urban planning, education, and gender equality. These transformations are essential to the achievement of the KMGBF and the fulfillment of its vision: “life in harmony with nature”.
The 23 action targets of the KMGBF are aligned with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its 17 SDGs and contribute to their achievement. The streams of national implementation of the KMGBF and the SDGs must reflect this alignment through greater integration and synergies.
All Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity are expected to prepare National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPS) reflecting the ambition of the KMGBF. To maximize synergy, the NBSAPs should be integrated into broader National Sustainable Development Strategies guided by the SDGs and the Pact for the Future.
Success in the implementation of the KMGBF and the SDGs requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-society endeavor. We need all hands on deck, including those of indigenous peoples and local communities, businesses, women and youth.

Official Website

Key Messages

Role of Geneva

Various international and local organizations in Geneva are engaged in the protection and conservation of our biological diversity.

Learn More on Biodiversity and Geneva

Biodiversity Day Celebration 2025

To celebrate the 2025 edition of International Biodiversity Day and the importance of advancing action to tackle biodiversity loss, the key findings of two landmark scientific reports launched by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in December 2024, will be presented to international Geneva, and serve as basis to discuss how the multilateral system can meet the interconnected challenges that result from the accelerated speed and scale of environmental change and rising inequalities identifies in the assessments. → Learn more and register to attend the event taking place at Palais des Nations, Room 3 on 22 May 2025 from 13:15 CEST.