May 22 is International Day for Biological Diversity

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.

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.
 
“Acting locally for global impact” is the theme of the 2026 edition of International Day for Biological Diversity.
 
At the crux of the IDB 2026 theme lies the fact that success in halting and reversing biodiversity loss hinges on the world’s ability to leverage the vital tapestry of local action in support of government-led actions. It is a two-way street:
 
Governments are expected to create enabling environments that are conducive to inclusive and meaningful participation of all actors other than national governments in planning and implementation, including by ensuring access to information pertaining to the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) the master documents translating the global ambition of the KMGBF into measurable national undertakings.
 
Actors other than national governments are expected to seize all opportunities to contribute to planning and implementation, including by taking part in existing government-led processes and consultations, and by taking initiatives and actions aligned with the KMGBF, with the NBSAP and national targets serving as a guide.
 
Five months ahead of the start of the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Armenia, the celebration of IDB 2026 around the world constitutes a universal moment to demonstrate that the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) is underway.