The thematic exhibition "Biological diversity and sustainable development", dedicated to the International Day of Biological Diversity, runs in the official documents department (207) from May 2 till June 8.
This Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2000 (resolution № A/RES/55/201) and is annually celebrated on May 22, the day of the adoption of the Convention on the biological diversity.
The main aim of the International Day of biological diversity celebrations is to draw attention to the necessity of preserving of natural ecological systems, flora and fauna.
Biological diversity is a variety of life on the planet, all existing and co-existing ecosystems. The mankind destiny is connected with biodiversity. Every species of animals, plants and microorganisms is important for life on Earth, and for people as well. Bio resources are the basis of the civilization. Unfortunately, the bio diversity of species is dramatically decreasing. It happens because of people’s activities, which destroys natural systems and its inhabitants. Overuse of fresh water, energetic resources, deforestation, modern methods of agriculture and other activities destroy the environment and destroy the bio diversity. Everyday nearly 100 species of living organisms disappear. More than 7 thousand animal species and nearly 60 thousand species of plants are under threat of extinction. More than 55 % of virgin forests are left on Earth, 10 % of coral reefs are destroyed. Global changes in the atmosphere, such as the ozone layer destruction and climate change, aggravate the problem. Almost 60 % of ecosystems are not able to perform all their eco functions that influence their existence.
Understanding the importance of concrete and significant measures for preserving of bio diversity on our planet, world leaders gathered at the UN Conference on the environment and sustainable development, which was held in Rio-de-Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992. The Convention on biological diversity was adopted at the Conference, now it’s observed by 196 countries. The Convention states, that countries are responsible for preservation of their bio diversity and sustainable development of their bio resources, work out national strategies and plans for preservation of their bio diversity, integrate them into large-scale national plans in the sphere of the environment and development.
The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified by the Resolution of the Supreme Council of the republic of Belarus from 10.06.93 № 2358-XII "On the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity" in the Republic of Belarus. Prospective priority directions of the Convention execution are statedin "the National strategy and Plan of activities on preservation and sustainable use of bio diversity of the Republic of Belarus". The Ministry of natural resources and the environment protection, other state organizations constantly work in the directions marked in the National strategy. In the Republic, there are adopted and came into force the Laws "On the environment protection", "On plant life", "On animal life", other normative legal documents, aimed at providing of legal and economic basis of preservation and sustainable use of bio diversity.
More than 100 documents in Russian and English are presented at the exhibition. The main part of the exposition is documents of international organizations: books, brochures, mimeographed UN materials, periodicals.
The exposition includes the following sections:
- Biological diversity and sustainable development.
- International and regional cooperation in biodiversity preservation. Normative legal documents on biodiversity and environment protection.
- Biodiversity protection in the Republic of Belarus.
- Preservation of biodiversity of threatened species of flora and fauna.
The exhibition will be interesting to students and postgraduates of ecological, biological and geographical specializations, specialists in the sphere of natural resources use and environment protection, scientific workers and to everyone interested in the issue of biodiversity preservation of our planet.
Useful links
- The Convention on biological diversity (web site)
- The International Day of Biological Diversity
- The Global Environment Day (5 June)
- The International Mother Earth Day (22 April)
- The International Year of Forests (2011)
- The International Year of Biodiversity (2010)
- The International Year of Planet Earth (2008)
- The UN Decade of Biodiversity (2011–2020)
Documents
Interim evaluation of progress of the Strategic plan of biodiversity preservation and sustainable development in 2011–2020 execution
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