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The aim of dedicating 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity
(IYB) is to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity
and its contribution to human well-being. 2010 is also a deadline to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss globally, which was committed by the countries participating in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2002. However, this target will not be met.
Thus 2010 also marks a milestone
in global biodiversity policy forming, when new post-2010 targets
and a new global strategy are being formulated in order to achieve biodiversity goals in the coming decade, and to secure human well-being.
The International Year of Biodiversity was officially launched by the Presidency
of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) to the
CBD at the Museum of Natural History in Berlin. At
the event German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the
world to take the necessary steps to protect biological
diversity on Earth. More than 400 people from all over the world participated
at the ceremony, where Mr. Issei Tajima, Senior
Vice-Minister of the Environment of Japan represented
the incoming Presidency of COP 10, which will take place in October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. The ceremony has been followed by numerous
events worldwide celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity,
as well as promoting sustainable development and nature conservation.
The IYB website of the CBD collects information on IYB celebrations
worldwide targeting the press and the public alike, including news on recent and upcoming events, publications and statements.
Biodiversity Picnics in Pan-Europe
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The Pan-European Biodiversity Picnic was
launched at the Biodiversity Stakeholders'
Roundtable in October 2007. Since then numerous Picnics have
been organized all over the region.
At the Picnics Pan-European stakeholders
of biodiversity spend a pleasant day together in the green,
eat organic fruits and discuss the issues of biodiversity.
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In 2010 the IYB gives a special meaning to the Pan-European Biodiversity Picnics, as they can become the highlight of the year round events.
Visit the campaign website to learn more about the events and organise the Picnic in your country! |
Biodiversity Picnic in Georgia
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Why does biodiversity loss matter? - Raising awareness on biodversity
| CEEweb aims to raise awareness on biodiversity and its indispensable role in social and economic processes among decision makers through its publication series Answers
for ministers and children. The first issue titled "Why
does biodiversity loss matter? - Answers for Ministers
and Children" showed the interlinkages between biodiversity and agriculture, tourism, biomass production, climate regulation and other ecosystem services in the form of a tale. The links of economics and ecosystem services and the similarities between the financial and ecological crises will be in the focus of next issue in 2010. |
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For press releases linked to the post 2010 biodiversity policies and the IYB please check CEEweb's press
corner.
For more information please contact Veronika
Kiss programme coordinator
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