South Africans urged to Join Efforts in Biodiversity Preservation on International Day

The United Nations has designated May 22 as International Day for Biodiversity to enhance global understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

As the world commemorates International Day for Biodiversity (IDB), Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, has called upon all South Africans to actively engage in the restoration and protection of the nation’s biological resources. The United Nations has designated May 22 as International Day for Biodiversity to enhance global understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

This year’s theme, ‘Be Part of the Plan’, underscores the universal commitment to preserving biodiversity and halting its decline. Recently, the South African Cabinet approved the White Paper on the Conservation and the Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biological Diversity, aligning the nation's goals with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

“South Africa is rich in biodiversity, which is crucial for our ecosystems to function effectively, providing us with clean air, water, and medicinal resources among many other benefits. The White Paper is a milestone achievement for South Africa, advocating for a society where all people enjoy a high quality of life, have a voice, and live on a nurturing earth,” said Creecy.

The White Paper aims to ensure equitable benefits from biodiversity for both current and future generations of South Africans. It sets strategic objectives to improve biodiversity management, strengthen the economy, enhance rural development, create jobs, and promote social well-being.

“The IDB celebration complements South Africa’s initiatives aimed at realizing the White Paper’s objectives for the conservation and sustainable use of our biodiversity. Our goal is to create an inclusive, transformed society living in harmony with nature,” Creecy explained.

In anticipation of the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Colombia later this year, Creecy emphasized the importance of reminding the international community of their commitments to the GBF. This includes ensuring adequate funding and capacity-building for developing countries to implement their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The NBSAP focuses on mobilizing public participation in practices that ensure the long-term benefits of biodiversity, integrating indigenous knowledge and citizen science to support sustainable management.

“I encourage businesses, environmentalists, academia, and civil society to engage with these policies and strategies to see how each can contribute to our targets of conserving our precious natural assets. Your actions, no matter how small, can significantly impact preserving the diversity of life on our planet for current and future generations. Together, let’s celebrate biodiversity and work towards a sustainable future,” Creecy concluded.