Protecting Biodiversity works around three pillars: Look & Learn, Connect & Act, and Share. Let us learn from nature, act together and inspire others to protect biodiversity.
On the International Day for Biological Diversity marked on 22 May, the Chair of the Bern Convention Standing Committee, Carl Amirgulashvili, has made the following statement:
The International Day for Biological Diversity is a moment to recognise that the future of our planet is shaped not only by global commitments but also by local actions.
Every ecosystem protected, every species conserved, and every sustainable decision made at the local level contributes to the resilience of life on Earth. Biodiversity is the foundation of healthy ecosystems, human well-being, and sustainable development. Yet its continued loss threatens the delicate balance that sustains life, economies, and communities worldwide.
The Bern Convention plays a vital role in addressing these challenges across Europe and beyond. By providing a strong legal framework for the conservation of wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, the Convention translates international commitments into concrete local action.
Through the Emerald Network – its pan-European network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest, complementary to the EU’s Natura 2000 – the Convention ensures the protection of species and habitats of European importance, while promoting ecological connectivity and long-term conservation. These networks demonstrate how coordinated local efforts can generate lasting global benefits.
What truly sets the Convention apart is its belief that the guardianship of nature belongs to everyone. Through its unique case-file system, it empowers citizens and NGOs – those who live alongside these habitats – to act as front-line defenders of our shared environment, ensuring that local voices can trigger international scrutiny and lead to concrete conservation measures.
The Convention’s work also extends to monitoring threatened species, tackling invasive alien species, and supporting climate adaptation, thereby engaging governments, experts, civil society, and local communities in a shared responsibility for nature.
Achieving meaningful change requires action at all levels. Local stewardship, informed by science and supported by international cooperation, is essential to reversing biodiversity loss and securing a sustainable future.
On this International Day for Biological Diversity, the Bern Convention calls upon all stakeholders—governments, local communities, non-governmental organisations, and citizens—to reaffirm our commitment to act where we are – in our communities, landscapes, and institutions – knowing that local actions, when multiplied across our continent and beyond, have the power to shape a truly global impact. Together, we can protect biodiversity and build a future in harmony with nature.
