International Day for Biological Diversity 2022 — Building a Shared Future for All Life

On 20 May 2022 at 17:00 (UTC+9), the UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainblity (UNU-IAS) will co-organise a symposium to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity 2022, The event is co-organised with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) and the Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC), with support from the Japan Conference for the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework (J-GBF).

The event is focused on building momentum and support for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference. Biodiversity remains the answer to many sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better.

Focusing on the theme “building a shared future for all life”, the symposium will explore trends at the global level and within Japan, discussing how to accelerate and link local action with the international policy agenda. Speakers will present case studies and the outcomes of initiatives in local communities, as well as youth action in the field of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

The symposium is organised by UNU-IAS, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ) and the Global Environment Outreach Centre (GEOC), and supported by the Japan Conference for the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework (J-GBF).

Language

This event will be held in English and Japanese, with simultaneous translation provided.

Registration

Please register in advance to participate in this event.

Programme

17:00 Opening Remarks

• Toshitaka Ooka (State Minister of the Environment, Japan) 
• Elizabeth Maruma Mrema (Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity) 

17:10 Keynote #1: International trends in Biological Diversity Conservation — Towards COP15

• Kazuhiko Takeuchi (President, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies IGES; Project Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives of Tokyo University; Visiting Professor, UNU-IAS; Deputy Chair, J-GBF)

17:25 Keynote #2: The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

• Natalia Alekseeva (Workstream Leader, Innovation for Sustainability, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO)

17:40 Presentations, Panel Discussion, and Q&A: Global Movements to Local Actions

Moderator: Makiko Yanagiya (Programme Coordinator, UNU-IAS)

Panelists:

• Jacqueline  Mbawine (Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Manager, A Rocha Ghana)  
• Brittany Vermeulen (RCE Greater Western Sydney, Western Sydney University) 
• The Pla-Girls Team (Ehime University Senior High School, Science Club)
• Hisashi Takahashi (Chairperson, Kahokugata Lake Institute) 
• Yuzo Yagai (Director of Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Ministry of the Environment, Japan）

18:55 Closing Remarks

• Shinobu Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS)

The programme is subject to change without prior notice.

International Day for Biological Diversity 2022

The United Nations has proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). Every year, UNU-IAS hosts an event to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

In addition to this symposium, the UNU-IAS Operating Unit in Ishikawa Kanazawa will host another event to celebrate IDB 2022 in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.