International Day for Biological Diversity

Director-General, Dr QU Dongyu
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

International Day for Biological Diversity

Saturday, 22 May 2021

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.            Biodiversity is essential for food security and food diversity.

2.            It underpins healthy and nutritious diets, improves rural livelihoods, and enhances the resilience of people and communities.

3.            The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is committed to promoting sustainable practices that deliver healthy food and prosperity for all while preserving our natural resources.

4.            Biodiversity also holds important solutions to many of the challenges faced by our agri-food systems.

5.            Recognizing its importance, our Members adopted the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors, and its related Action Plan.

6.            FAO’s new Strategic Framework for the next decade seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

7.            The sustainable use, restoration and conservation of biodiversity is crucial for this.

8.            We all have a role to play

·        Farmers, fishers, livestock keepers and foresters;

·        Consumers and the private sector;

·        National authorities and international organizations;

9.            We are all part of the solution.

10.         Together, we can achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

11.         I wish you a productive International Day for Biological Diversity.

Thank you.