World Biodiversity Day, officially known as the International Day for Biological Diversity, has its roots in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which was adopted during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The CBD is a key international treaty aimed at addressing the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
More specifically, the Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature on June 5, 1992, during the Earth Summit. It aimed to promote sustainable development and address the alarming rates of biodiversity loss worldwide. In line with, in December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to raise awareness and promote the importance of biodiversity. The date was chosen to commemorate the adoption of the CBD on May 22, 1992.
Since its inception, each year has featured a specific theme that focuses on different aspects of biodiversity. These themes aim to highlight pressing issues related to biodiversity loss, conservation efforts, and the importance of ecosystems for human well-being.
For example, World Biodiversity Day was held in 2002, and it is dedicated to forest biodiversity. 2003-Biodiversity and poverty alleviation: Challenges for Sustainable Development. 2004 – Biodiversity: Food, Water, and Health for Everyone. 2005 – Biodiversity: Life Insurance for Our Changing World. 2006: Protect Biodiversity in Drylands, 2007: Biodiversity and Climate Change, 2008: Biodiversity and Agriculture, 2009: Invasive Alien Species, 2010: Biodiversity, Development, and Poverty Alleviation. 2011 – Forest Biodiversity; 2012 – Marine Biodiversity.
In 2013 – Water and Biodiversity, 2014 – Island Biodiversity, 2015 – Biodiversity for Sustainable Development, 2016 – Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Sustaining People and Their Livelihoods, 2017 – Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism, 2018 – Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity, 2019 – Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health, 2020 – Our Solutions Are in Nature, 2021 – We’re Part of the Solution, 2022 – Building a Shared Future for All Life, 2023 – From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity, 2024 – Be Part of the Plan, and 2025 – Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.
World Biodiversity Day also promotes global participation. The day is celebrated globally, with various events organized by governments, NGOs, educational institutions, and communities to promote awareness about biodiversity and encourage action to protect it.
In general, the day aims to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues, as well as promote the importance of biodiversity for human well-being and sustainable development. The theme for the 2025 International Day for Biological Diversity is “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”. This theme highlights the importance of integrating biodiversity conservation with sustainable development practices.
More significantly, the day connects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It demonstrates how biodiversity conservation contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Because the significance of biodiversity has been increasingly recognized in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 15, which focuses on life on land and aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Accordingly, World Biodiversity Day serves as an important reminder of the need to protect our planet’s diverse biological resources and emphasizes the critical role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth.
In Ethiopia also Biodiversity Day is celebrated each year in alignment with the global observance of International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22. Ethiopia is known for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of unique flora and fauna, and it is home to several endemic species. The country has diverse ecosystems ranging from highland plateaus to lowland deserts, which contribute to its biological richness.
The country celebrated the day by preparing awareness campaigns and events. Various organizations, including government agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions, often conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of biodiversity and conservation efforts. Besides, local communities are encouraged to participate in activities that promote biodiversity conservation, such as tree planting, clean-up drives, and the establishment of protected areas.
The country also prepares educational workshops and seminars that may be organized to discuss biodiversity challenges, conservation strategies, and sustainable practices that can be adopted at the local and national levels.
The country also celebrates the day by highlighting the importance of Biodiversity for Ethiopia. It has ecosystem services. Biodiversity in Ethiopia contributes to essential ecosystem services such as food security, clean water, and climate regulation. Besides, it has cultural heritage for their livelihoods, cultural practices, and traditional medicine. More importantly, biodiversity supports sectors like agriculture, tourism, and pharmaceuticals, which are vital for the country’s economy. The celebration of Biodiversity Day in Ethiopia is an important occasion to reflect on the country’s natural heritage and the collective responsibility to protect it for future generations.
Each year, World Biodiversity Day has a specific theme that highlights various aspects of biodiversity and its significance to ecosystems, human well-being, and sustainable development. Activities on this day often include educational programs, community events, and campaigns aimed at promoting conservation efforts and sustainable practices.
The celebration of this day serves as a reminder of the critical role that biodiversity plays in maintaining the health of our planet and the necessity of protecting it for future generations. The country also finalized all necessary preparations for the 2025 Biodiversity Day Observance in Ethiopia.
According to the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), the country has finalized its preparations to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity in 2025. The event will take place from May 20 to 24 under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” The celebration will feature a series of activities, including panel discussions, exhibitions, and field visits aimed at promoting biodiversity conservation efforts across Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Director General Dr. Karta Kaske said that the observance of the day aims to raise public awareness on the importance of conserving biodiversity, utilizing biological resources sustainably, and fostering a lifestyle that aligns with nature.
The Director General also outlined the institute’s core objectives as conserving biological diversity, ensuring its sustainable use, and promoting fair and equitable sharing of its benefits. “Conserving biodiversity is essential for achieving sustainable development,” he said, noting the Institute’s efforts to protect both animal and plant species through ex-situ (off-site) and in-situ (on-site) conservation methods.
He added that special attention is being given to species with high economic, medicinal, industrial, and nutritional value.
Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Deputy Director General Dr. Abiyot Berhanu stated that the day is important to promote several initiatives such as Green Legacy. Because as part of its contribution to Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, the Institute plans to distribute five million seedlings of indigenous plant species for nationwide planting. It also maintains a major gene bank at its headquarters, which houses over 92,000 plant genetic samples.
He also highlighted that the main objective of the day is to create conditions that allow society to manage natural resources properly and sustainably, rather than exploiting them excessively or indiscriminately due to lack of awareness. In addition, it is to refresh the existing vocabulary, including identifying challenges and solutions related to conservation and protection. This is to better manage biodiversity resources, use them sustainably, and distribute the benefits to society in an equitable manner.
He said theme of this year indicates the importance of harmonizing nature with development. There are many benefits to living in harmony with nature. If we can live in harmony with nature, our development will be sustainable. The overall development of a country must be sustainable.
The institute is working with special focus on preserving, developing, and sustainably utilizing the country’s biodiversity and associated indigenous knowledge.
On the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity, we must strengthen the efforts being made to conserve and benefit from these resources. For this, the efforts and participation of all citizens are crucial.
According to the available information from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Ethiopia is known for its rich biodiversity, with over 6,029 plant species, 10 percent of which are endemic, including globally significant crops like coffee and teff.
World Biodiversity Day, also known as the International Day for Biological Diversity, is celebrated on May 22 each year. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and to promote its conservation. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, following the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2025
