(VOVWORLD) -May 22 is the International Day of Biological Diversity. The theme for 2023 is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”, calling on governments to quickly put their commitments into action to prevent and reverse the loss of biodiversity, towards building a future of "living in harmony with nature" by 2050.
 Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Bac Kan province People's Committee mark the International Day of Biodiversity 2023, on May 20, at Ba Be National Park. Photo: VOV
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According to the UN, more than 80% of the human diet is provided by plants. Up to 80% of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant-based medicines for basic health care. Loss of biodiversity threatens everything, including human health. Scientists says loss of biodiversity can increase disease transmission from animals to humans. On the contrary, if we keep biodiversity intact, it will provide excellent tools to fight pandemics.
However, at present, more than 1 million of the world's 8 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. The UN attributed biodiversity loss to changes in land and sea use, climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices, pollution and the invasion of alien species. Without urgent solutions, the future of our planet will be in danger.
This year's International Day of Biodiversity marks the first year that the world implements the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement approved at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15), in Canada in 2022.
At the UN Headquarters in New York, on Monday, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity will hold a debate on biological diversity. In Japan, events have been organized to learn and act for biodiversity across the country.
In March 2023, in New York City, after many years of negotiations, the UN member countries finally approved a legally binding treaty to preserve and ensure the sustainable use of water resources.
Sustainable marine biodiversity has been discussed for 15 years, and agreed upon by negotiators from more than 100 countries. The document is an important part of the global effort to implement the 2022 UN Agreement on Biodiversity.
Biodiversity is essential for supporting human life, is a global asset and immensely valuable to future generations.