Promoting action for biodiversity and ecosystems.

To raise public awareness of biodiversity issues, the United Nations designated May 22nd as International Biodiversity Day in 1993. This year, the UN launched International Biodiversity Day 2026 with the theme “Acting locally for global impact,” aiming to send the message that every small action at the local level can have a positive impact on a global scale.

Photo caption — Asian elephants migrate to Eshan County, southwestern Yunnan Province, China, on May 28, 2021. (Illustrative photo: THX/VNA)

Biodiversity is the foundation of life.

Biodiversity is a concept that describes all forms of life on Earth, including the evolutionary processes of all organisms, the behaviors that help species sustain themselves, and the interactions between plants and animals.

Biodiversity is crucial because all organisms in an ecosystem are interconnected. Biodiversity resources are also the cornerstone of humanity's civilization. For example, fish provide 20% of the animal protein for approximately 3 billion people; over 80% of the human diet comes from plants; and about 80% of people living in rural areas of developing countries rely on traditional herbal remedies for basic healthcare. Furthermore, land and oceans absorb more than half of total carbon emissions. More than 50% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depends on nature, with over 1 billion people relying on forests for their livelihoods…

For thousands of years, humans have coexisted with Earth's ecosystems. However, as the population grows, humans have begun encroaching on these ecosystems. According to a 2025 United Nations report, more than 1 million species – equivalent to 12.5% of all plant and animal species in the world – are at risk of extinction due to activities such as deforestation, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. Every minute, the world loses the equivalent of 10 football fields of primary forest; nearly 50% of the world's bird species are declining; and approximately 25% of mammal species are facing extinction. The Amazon rainforest – the "green lungs" of the Earth – has lost more than 20% of its area between 1970 and 2020. In Australia, one of the "biodiversity super-countries," the number of mammal species that have gone extinct in the last two centuries far exceeds that of any other continent…

These figures are not merely statistics; they are a cry for help from a planet losing its life-sustaining balance. Three billion people depend on fish as their primary protein source, yet 85% of global fish stocks have been depleted or severely degraded. Similarly, 80% of rural populations in developing countries rely on traditional medicinal plants, but their habitats are being ruthlessly destroyed.

When biodiversity declines, the consequences lead to a decrease in our food supply, timber resources, medicines, and energy. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that over 90% of crop varieties have disappeared from fields and farms in the last 100 years. Half of all livestock breeds have been lost. Fisheries are being overfished, and many species are not sustainably developed. As for medicine, the loss of valuable natural compounds will affect the treatment of certain diseases.

Furthermore, clean air and clean water, essential elements for life, are also under serious threat. More dangerously, the loss of biodiversity increases the risk of disease outbreaks. Numerous scientific reports indicate that the decline in biodiversity is the biggest environmental cause of infectious disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the disruption of the ecosystem balance.
As can be seen, biodiversity is currently facing many serious challenges, from habitat loss, overexploitation of resources, environmental pollution, invasive alien species to climate change and a lack of awareness.

To prevent and reverse biodiversity loss, on December 19, 2022, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in Montreal, Canada, adopted a historic agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), also known as the Biodiversity Plan, outlining four long-term targets by 2050 and 23 urgent targets to be achieved by 2030. These targets are integrated with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, ensuring that nature conservation does not conflict with economic development.

Key among these is the 30x30 goal, which aims to protect 30% of the world's land and ocean areas, reduce pollution from fertilizers and pesticides, cut $500 billion annually in environmentally damaging subsidies, and mobilize $200 billion annually from all sources for conservation campaigns.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is an ambitious plan to promote widespread action to transform humanity's relationship with biodiversity by 2030 and ensure that by 2050, a shared vision of living in harmony with nature is realized. However, challenges remain, as negotiations for funding contributions are still divided.

Mobilizing the concerted efforts of local authorities.

In order to conserve and sustainably utilize biological resources, at the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, world leaders agreed on a global strategy for “sustainable development.” One of the key agreements adopted was the Convention on Biological Diversity, committing to maintaining the world’s ecological foundation while promoting economic development. Since then, May 22nd has been designated as International Biodiversity Day.

This year, the United Nations launched International Biodiversity Day with the theme “Acting locally for global impact.” The UN believes that this year's International Biodiversity Day sends an important message, emphasizing that every small action at the local level can have a positive impact on a global scale. From observing an insect on the sidewalk, planting more trees, participating in community science activities, or protecting a local forest, all contribute to the collective effort to prevent and reverse the decline of biodiversity on the planet.

According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat, the 2026 International Biodiversity Day campaign emphasizes that protecting biodiversity is not just the responsibility of governments or any single protected area, but requires the participation of the entire society, from local communities, schools, businesses to young people and civil society organizations.

This year's global campaign is built around three pillars: "Look and Learn," "Connect and Act," and "Share." People are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities, community science, tree planting, nature data collection, environmental walks, and share conservation initiatives using the hashtag #BiodiversityDay.

In observance of this year's International Biodiversity Day, the European Union (EU) has encouraged cities and localities to engage more actively in nature conservation through the CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature platforms. The EU believes that small-scale actions at the community level can contribute to achieving the global goals of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

In particular, Belgium launched Biodiversity Week from May 16-24, 2026, with a series of community activities around Brussels. The highlight was the "Grand Bioblitz" event held in the Sonian Forest – Belgium's only UNESCO World Heritage site.

In Switzerland, the Geneva Environment Network organized a series of events highlighting Switzerland's role as a coordinating center for global environmental initiatives. The program focused on connecting local action with international goals to prevent biodiversity loss.

In North America, Canada is launching a series of activities in British Columbia to mark International Biodiversity Day 2026. The program, spanning the month of May, includes activities such as community bioblitz surveys, birdwatching walks, forest therapy, family nature exploration, and citizen science activities at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

In Asia, Japan hosted an international conference at the United Nations University headquarters in Tokyo with the theme “Action at the Local Level for Global Impact – Towards a World in Harmony with Nature Through Collective Action.” Organized by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with various organizations, the event brought together representatives from government, academia, business, and civil society to discuss how to connect local initiatives with global biodiversity goals.

In India, many states organized workshops, educational programs, and wildlife conservation campaigns leading up to May 22nd. Some activities focused on conserving big cat species such as tigers, snow leopards, and Asiatic lions, while also emphasizing the role of local communities in preserving ecosystems and natural resources.

Meanwhile, South Africa has been chosen by the United Nations to host the first major global event of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026. The South African government says this is an opportunity for the country to showcase how local communities, businesses, scientists and authorities can work together to protect nature and promote sustainable development.

In Vietnam, in response to the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has issued guidelines for organizing activities such as: raising awareness through mass media about the meaning and message of the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity; launching a movement for nature and biodiversity conservation appropriate to local conditions; promoting the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodiversity, applying digital transformation, science and technology, nature-based solutions, mobilizing multi-stakeholder cooperation in nature and biodiversity conservation, and encouraging organizations and individuals to sign agreements with management agencies and implement voluntary standards and commitments on nature and biodiversity conservation…

Vietnam is known as one of the countries actively participating in international commitments on biodiversity, such as: the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1987), the Convention on Biological Diversity (1994) and the Protocols within the framework of the Ramsar Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands (Ramsar Convention, 1989), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1994); participating in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)…

In the context of ensuring biodiversity facing numerous challenges, each individual needs to raise awareness, act responsibly, and live in harmony with other species in the ecosystem, contributing to protecting a healthy planet for future generations.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/thuc-day-hanh-dong-vi-da-dang-sinh-hoc-va-he-sinh-thai-20260521061523234.htm