The International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2008

This year’s theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IBD), “Biodiversity and Agriculture,” seeks to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to ensure that we will be able to feed the world, maintain agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well being into the 21st century and beyond.

Agricultural growth, securing food and ensuring that people have adequate purchasing capacity are necessary precursors for achieving Millennium Development Goals. For each of the above, careful and planned investments are required from both the public and private sectors. Countries need to have information as well as analytical capacities to prioritize, design, implement and monitor investment programmes in agriculture in a manner that enhances productivity and conserves the broad genetic base.

 Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Podcast on Biodiversity: Sustaining Life

Ask UNEP - Ms. Margaret Oduk, Programme Officer Biodiversity, Land Law and Governance Unit of the Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, answers your questions on International Day for Biological Diversity 2008.

Biodiversity and Agriculture - Safeguarding Biodiversity and Securing Food for the World

The booklet highlights the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to ensure that we will be able to feed the world, maintain agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well being into the 21st century and beyond. At the same time, it seeks to highlight the importance of maintaining the world's biological diversity, upon which agriculture and future production is so dependant.  [English]  [Français ]  [Español]