info@mesti.gov.gh | Digital Address: GA-107-3073 |

+233 302 666 049

info@moh.gov.gh

+233 302 666 049

Post Office Box M232 | Ministries, Accra Ghana

Digital Address: GA-107-3073

2023 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIODIVERSITY (IDB)

2023 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR BIODIVERSITY (IDB) – “FROM AGREEMENT TO ACTION: BUILD BACK BIODIVERSITY”

Moving forward from the Kunming-Montreal GBF Agreement to its Implementation

Today, 22nd May, 2023; the world marks the International Day for Biodiversity. A day proclaimed by the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The day was selected to reflect the day of the final agreement on the text of the Convention.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “From Agreement To Action: Build Back Biodiversity” The purpose of this year’s celebration is to create awareness on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which was adopted during the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), following a four year consultation and negotiation process. This historic Framework, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention’s previous Strategic Plans, sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world ‘living in harmony with nature by 2050’ by carrying out activities that are guided by the 4 goals and 23 targets.

The Global Biodiversity Framework seeks to build on cooperation with the biodiversity-related Conventions such as United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on the Conservation  of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (RAMSAR) among others, for the achievement of the targets and goals of the framework.

We must note that our very existence depends on our biodiversity resources; and bear in mind, that biodiversity is also the answer to several development challenges, considering its role in nature-based solutions to climate change, health issues, food and water security, as well as sustainable livelihoods. We must therefore as a people, be determined to contribute our quota to biodiversity restoration, conservation and sustainable use by supporting initiatives such as the Green Ghana Project.

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Ghana, is committed to adopting the whole-of government and whole-of society approaches to set our national targets; review our National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to align with the Framework and take steps to achieve the set national targets. MESTI therefore entreats all actors – state and non-state, to participate actively in the process and to undertake activities that seek to build back biodiversity, for the sustainable development of our dear nation and planet.

#BuildBackBiodiversity

#AgreementToAction

#KMGBF

#HarmonyWithNature 

#ActionDecade

#Post2020