National Environment Management Authority Executive Director Dr. Akankwasa Barirega on Uganda’s Theme for International Day for Biodiversity 2024
By John Kusolo
As we celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity (IDB), Uganda's National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced the national theme: "Land Restoration for Biodiversity Resilience." This theme highlights the critical role that rehabilitating degraded lands plays in ensuring the health and resilience of biodiversity in Uganda.
Dr. Akankwasa Barirega, the Executive Director of NEMA, emphasized the importance of this theme in the context of Uganda's unique ecological challenges. He noted that land degradation is a significant threat to the country's biodiversity, impacting ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these natural resources. By focusing on land restoration, Uganda aims to not only restore ecological balance but also enhance the resilience of its biodiversity against the impacts of climate change and human activities.
International Day for Biodiversity 2024: Global Theme and Significance
The International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) is celebrated annually on May 22, with the aim of increasing understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year, the global theme is "Be Part of the Plan." This theme calls upon governments, indigenous peoples, local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to showcase their efforts in supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan.
The theme underscores the collaborative effort required to address biodiversity loss and highlights the importance of involving all sectors of society in conservation efforts. It encourages diverse stakeholders to contribute to biodiversity conservation initiatives, sharing their successes and challenges to inspire broader participation and commitment.
Historical Context of International Day for Biodiversity
The International Day for Biological Diversity was established by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1993. Originally celebrated on December 29, it marked the day the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) came into effect. However, to avoid the crowded holiday season in late December and to commemorate the adoption of the Convention at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, the date was changed to May 22 in 2000.
Significance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity is crucial for the health of the planet and human well-being. It affects a wide array of sectors and global issues, including oceans, seas, forests, food security, health, sustainable development, science, technology, innovation, knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, urban resilience, sustainable transportation, desertification, land degradation, drought, and water and sanitation.
The importance of biodiversity in sustainable development was highlighted in the Rio+20 outcome document, "The World We Want: A Future for All." This document emphasized the need to protect and restore biodiversity as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Biodiversity underpins ecosystem functions and services that are vital for human survival and economic activity.
Building Momentum for COP 16
This year's IDB celebrations also aim to build momentum leading up to the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), scheduled in Colombia from October 21 to November 1, 2024. COP 16 will focus on furthering the global biodiversity agenda and implementing strategies to halt biodiversity loss.
Call to Action
In the spirit of the IDB 2024 theme "Be Part of the Plan," individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in biodiversity conservation activities and to use the promotional materials available for the day. By engaging in these efforts, we can collectively contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.
In conclusion, Uganda’s theme for IDB 2024, "Land Restoration for Biodiversity Resilience," aligns with the global call to action, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and inclusive efforts in biodiversity conservation. As we celebrate this day, let us all commit to being part of the plan to protect and restore our natural world.
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