Biodiversity and ecosystem services are the very foundations of life on Earth; the livelihoods and well-being of people around the world depend on them. It is imperative that we protect biodiversity and prevent its further loss in order to ensure our collective future.

Biodiversity is an issue that involves many areas of action set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The importance of ending the loss of biodiversity is expressly recognized in Goal 15. The important role that biological diversity plays in the eradication of poverty, the provision of food and fresh water, and the improvement of living conditions in cities is affirmed in other goals of the 2030 Agenda. It is essential to take biodiversity into account more systematically and to change the way societies see this wealth and how they manage it.

The loss of biodiversity continues to intensify in all corners of the world despite numerous commitments made to address it. Only 15% of countries are on track to meet the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020. In addition, the expected growth of sectors that depend on and at the same time harm biodiversity, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, will be a major challenge in the fight against biodiversity loss in the coming decades.

Reversing the trend will require action by all sectors and actors, from United Nations Member States and United Nations agencies to civil society, academia and business. We need more in-depth research in this area and we need to act on the basis of evidence that biodiversity is essential for the achievement of social and economic goals.

Responsible use of natural resources is essential for sustainable development. By systematically considering biodiversity, we can ensure that efforts to meet development needs and those to protect the environment are complementary.

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, I urge all governments and stakeholders to preserve all forms of life on Earth and to ensure their sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations. The preservation of biological diversity is an essential clause in the pact we have concluded with each other and with our nourishing planet.