CAPE TOWN, May 22 (Xinhua) -- To mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George on Thursday urged all citizens to play their part in restoring and protecting the planet's biodiversity.
"South Africa joins the global community in celebrating this important day under the theme Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development, which highlights the essential connection between biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals," said George. "We stress the urgency of accelerating efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, which is essential for achieving the SDGs."
He also announced that South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment is hosting the National Biodiversity Offset Conference this week in Gauteng Province.
The conference, held from Wednesday to Thursday, is hosted in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, supported by the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the South African National Parks.
According to him, the national biodiversity conference brings together government officials, environmental experts, private sector leaders, and civil society to explore how biodiversity offsetting can support sustainable development while protecting the country's rich and diverse ecosystems.
Building on the outcomes of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Colombia last year, this year's campaign highlights the critical connection between the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the minister noted.
"As a department, it is important for us to reflect on the synergies and alignment between our local biodiversity strategy and action plans with the objectives of this year's International Day of Biological Diversity, which include enhancing public awareness of the fundamental importance of biodiversity to all life on Earth and address socio-economic complexities such as poverty and inequality," George said.
The International Day for Biodiversity is observed annually on May 22 to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. ■