From 16 May to 17 June, a book exhibition "Biological diversity: conservation, sustainable use and development", devoted to the International Day for Biological Diversity, runs in the Documents of International Organizations Reading Room (room 207g).
This Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 20 December, 2000 (resolution № A/RES/55/201). Since then, it is annually celebrated on 22 May, because the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted on this day.
Biological diversity is all variety of life on the planet, all existing and co-existing natural systems. Richness and diversity of animate nature on Earth is the basis of life and one of important resource of sustainable human development. Unfortunately, now biological diversity of species is rapidly declining. Mostly it is a fault of human activity which causes the destruction of natural systems and their inhabitants. Overuse of fresh water, energy resources, mass deforestation, modern methods of agriculture and other human activities have destructive impact on environment, leading to the reduction of biological diversity. Every day about 100 species of living beings vanish from the face of the earth. Today, more than 7 000 species of animals and nearly 60 000 species of plants are endangered. There has remained more 55 % of original forest cover on the Earth. Nearly 10% of coral reefs have been destroyed. Global changes in the atmosphere such as ozone destruction and climate change make this problem more significant. Almost 60% of the planet’s ecosystems are no longer able to perform all ecological functions from which our existence depends.
The main objective of the International Day for Biological Diversity is to draw public attention to the problem of irreversible extinction of many species of flora and fauna on Earth and to remind to the world community about a need to adopt urgent and decisive measures for the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity at international, national and local levels.
The problem on the conservation of biological diversity plays an important role in environmental policy of the Republic of Belarus. Our government understands the importance of joining of international efforts for solving important environmental problems of the world. In the Republic of Belarus, the Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified by the Supreme Soviet of Belarus of 10.06.93 № 2358-XII by the Law “On the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity". Future prospective priorities for the implementation of the Convention are defined in the "National Strategy and Action Plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Republic of Belarus". The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and other concerned government authorities continuously work at national guidelines of this stragedy. Thus, the Law "On Environmental Protection", the Law "On the vegetable world", the Law "On Fauna" and a number of other legal documents were accepted and came into force in order to ensure legal and economic basis for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Republic of Belarus.
The exhibition contains more than 60 documents in Russian, English, French and German. A large part of the exhibition is the documents of international organizations, books, brochures, the UN mimeographed materials, periodicals.
The exhibition includes the following sections:
- biodiversity and sustainable development;
- International and regional cooperation and collaboration in the field of the conservation of biological diversity. Legal documents on conservation of biodiversity and the environment;
- protection of biological diversity in the Republic of Belarus;
- climate change and biodiversity;
- conservation of biological diversity of endangered species of flora and fauna.
The exhibition will be interesting for students and graduate students of ecological, biological and geographical specialties, specialists in the field of nature and environment, researchers, and everyone who is interested in the problem of conservation of biological diversity of our planet.
Useful references
- UN Sustainable Development
- Biological diversity
- International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May)
- World environmental day (5 June)
- International Mother Earth Day (22 April)
- International year of forests (2011)
- International year of biodiversity (2010)
- International Year of Planet Earth (2008)
- United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (2011–2020)
- United Nations Decade for Deserts and the fight against desertification (2010–2020)
- Endangered species of wild fauna
- Overfishing: a threat to marine biodiversity
- Climate change
- United Nations Environmental programme
Documents
- Convention on biological diversity (1992)
- UN agreement straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks (1995)
- Convention to combat desertification in countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa (1994)
- Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal
- Bonn Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals
- Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
- Conservation of biological diversity (Chapter 15, Agenda 21)
- Beijing Statement on Combating Desertification and Promoting Sustainable Development (Beijing, 22–24 January 2008)
- Environmental declarations
- Conventions and agreements on environmental matters
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