“Acting Locally for Global Impact” — Message from the Secretary-General on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026

Biodiversity is the living web that sustains humanity.

Yet, climate chaos, pollution, and the relentless exploitation of land, ocean and freshwater, are pushing the natural world towards breakdown – with devastating consequences for people, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework shows the way forward.  But we must pick up the pace – with ambition and accountability.

Governments must lead by accelerating implementation, mobilizing finance, and closing capacity gaps that hold back progress.  But as this year’s theme reminds us, success depends on action far beyond national capitals.  Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and young people, academia, businesses, cities and regions all have a vital role in protecting and restoring nature.

The United Nations is supporting Member States through inclusive, science‑based action – updating national biodiversity strategies, expanding protected areas, restoring ecosystems, and integrating nature into sustainable development planning and climate action.

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, let us champion those acting locally for global impact – and work together to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, so people and nature flourish together.