In 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IDB 2020 will be commemorated through online-only campaigns. This year, UNEP is marking the international day with the theme of “Our solutions are in nature”. The global community is called to re-examine its relationship with the natural world, and to realize the theme’s emphasis on hope, solidarity and interdisciplinary cooperation to build a future of life in harmony with nature.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) defines biodiversity as “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.” CBD was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993.

Website: https://www.cbd.int/idb/2020