22 May marks the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). Established by the United Nations in 1993, this global initiative aims to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

This year, the IDB is celebrated under the slogan: “We’re part of the solution #ForNature”, providing a reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges – such as climate and health issues, food and water security, as well as sustainable livelihoods.

The Biodiversity Day 2021 also serves to raise awareness about the new global biodiversity framework, which will be adopted at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference #COP15 in China in October 2021. This new framework will focus on ensuring work to preserve biodiversity contributes to “the nutrition, food security, and livelihoods of people, especially for the most vulnerable” (UN, 2021). Therefore, this year’s IDB is a call to action for biodiversity and a reminder that biodiversity is crucial in order to reach the UN 2050 Vision of “Living in harmony with nature”.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the IDB 2021 will be celebrated virtually as an online-only campaign. The hashtag for overall biodiversity communications work in 2021 is #ForNature.

The FoodLAND consortium is proud to support the call for global awareness for Biological Diversity.