International Biodiversity Day 2011
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.
The United Nations declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests (Forests 2011), and forests are the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2011. In this special year, the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are working together to highlight the importance of forest biodiversity to humankind. The theme for Forests 2011 is “Forests for People”, celebrating of the central role of people in the management, conservation, and sustainable development of our world’s forests.
Forests contain some of our planet’s most vibrant ecosystems, displaying a wondrous variety of birds, animals, and plants. Forests are the basis for more than 5,000 products, from aromatic oil distilled from leaves to herbal medicines, fuel, food, furniture and clothing; they prevent soil erosion and help to regulate the climate; they provide clean water; they inspire us in art, research and religion; and they are essential to the survival and well-being of people everywhere—all 7 billion of us.
Yet, the world’s forests are facing immense pressures and challenges. Key findings from the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 show that while deforestation has slowed somewhat in recent years as compared to the 1990s, it is still alarmingly high. Continued deforestation has resulted in carbon emissions, shortages in water and food supply, and an unprecedented loss of biodiversity. But the world is not standing idly by. Governments, international organizations and forest stakeholder groups are taking action—to find ways of conserving and sustainably managing forests for the benefit of present and future generations.
On the occasion of the International Day of Biodiversity 22 May 2011, and in the framework of the project “Supporting the proposed Trans-boundary Biosphere Reserve of Lake Shkodra/Skadar area through a participatory approach”, financed by European Union as part of the IPA cross-border Cooperation Programme Albania –Montenegro (2007-2013), the Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) and the Trans-boundary Forum of Shkodra/Skadar Lake have organized on 20 May 2011 at the premises of European Information Centre in Shkodra., a Press Conference on the project activities.
The scope of the event was to promote biodiversity protection, the role of the civil society, and to present the expected results of the project focusing on the biodiversity values and resources of the Shkodra Lake, through the supporting of the trans-boundary activities for the protection of the ecosystems in the area and for the sustainable development in this region.
Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) and the NGO “Green Home” in Montenegro together with the Transboundary Forum of Shkodra Lake in both countries are assigned to implement the project “Supporting the proposed trans-boundary biosphere reserve of lake Skadar/Shkodra through a participatory approach”. This project is financed in the frame of the EU- IPA Cross-Border program Albania-Montenegro, 2007-2013 - IPA 2007 annual allocation.
The overall objective of this project is to contribute for the protection of the biodiversity by promoting the implementation of transboundary development activities in the context of Environmental protection. This project will Increase the capacity of regional/national environmental NGOs and local governments on Biosphere Reserve, advocating techniques to protect Shkodra Lake, EU standards for biodiversity and Man and Biosphere Program
The implementation of this project is based on UNESCO Methodology ‘Man and Biosphere \\\\\\\' which adopts the protection of the ecosystems in accordance with the Social and Cultural development in the area. In the frame of this project a Working group (BR_WG) is established for biosphere reserve of lake Skadar/Shkodra in Shkodra City. The project will capacitate those environmental actors to secure their national and regional debates around biosphere reserve process for transboundary Shkodra lake area, and will increase their capacities towards the EU standards for biodiversity and Man and Biosphere Program. The WG will follow and advice technically the implementation phases of the project, is expected to continue the work after the project ended.
