KITUI, Kenya – On this International Day for Biological Diversity, the Kenyan government now says it is keen on the expansion of wildlife areas and conservancies.
The announcement was made by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who said that the day is a reminder of our shared responsibility to conserve the planet’s diversity.
“My ministry, through @WildlifeKe_, has prioritised this through the expansion of wildlife areas and conservancies to secure all our wildlife corridors,” she said through a post shared on her official X account (formerly Twitter).
For efficiency, CS Miano disclosed that her ministry is keen on the implementation of plans for all protected and conserved areas even as Kenyans commemorated the day at Mutomo, Kitui County.
“We are also keen on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and formulating equitable benefit-sharing frameworks to ensure that local communities, who often bear the cost of living with wildlife, receive benefits associated with wildlife,” the CS announced.
Why the International Day for Biological Diversity was established
The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed annually on May 22nd to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. The United Nations established this day to emphasise the importance of public education on biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity leads the event, which took place today, Thursday, May 22, 2025.
In his message, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that biodiversity is the bedrock of life and a cornerstone of sustainable development.
The SG, however, regretted that humanity is destroying biodiversity at a lightning pace—the result of pollution, climate crisis, ecosystem destruction, and—ultimately—short-term interests fuelling the unsustainable use of our natural world.
“Biodiversity loss is a global challenge. No one country, however rich or powerful, can address it alone. Nor can they live without the rich biodiversity that defines our planet,” Guterres said.
As the world pursues sustainable development, Guterres observed that there is a need to transform how we produce and consume, how we value nature, and deliver on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework—the world’s blueprint to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
“We need policies, regulations, and other incentives to support sustainable livelihoods and build strong, green economies. That means governments building on progress made at CBD COP16, including by delivering domestic and international finance and shifting public subsidies and other financial flows away from activities that harm nature,” he added.
What the theme of this year reminds humanity
This, according to the UN boss, means countries delivering National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans that put the framework into effect, address inequality, advance sustainable development, respect traditional knowledge, and empower women, girls, Indigenous People, and more.
“As the theme of this year’s International Day reminds us, living in ‘harmony with nature and sustainable development” is humanity’s path to a better world for us all. Together, let’s take it,” said the UN boss.
On his part, Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, observed that biodiversity is an important foundation for human survival and development.
“Conserving biodiversity helps maintain our home planet and promote sustainable development for humankind. China has always promoted global biodiversity conservation with the highest political will and strongest practical actions,” said the Chinese minister.
With China as the CBD COP15 presidency, Huang noted that the milestone Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was successfully adopted, outlining a new blueprint for global biodiversity conservation.
What the Kunming Biodiversity Fund means to China
He disclosed that China launched the Action Initiative for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework with the participation of 29 parties and relevant international organisations.
Against this background, China has set up and put into operation the Kunming Biodiversity Fund with a capital of 1.5 billion RMB, and the first batch of 9 projects has been officially implemented.
“China welcomes more countries and institutions to contribute to the Fund and work jointly to support the implementation of the KMGBF. As one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world, China has put biodiversity conservation at the national strategic level, released China National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (2023-2030), implemented major projects for biodiversity conservation, and comprehensively improved biodiversity conservation capacity and management,” explained Huang.
Huang further shared a saying: “The going may be tough when one walks alone, but it gets easier when people walk together.”
The minister said that China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all, work together to address global challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change, and jointly build a beautiful home planet featuring harmony with nature and sustainable development.
