The UAE is joining the world's countries on Friday to observe the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), celebrated on 22nd May every year.

The 2015 IDB's theme of "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development" reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations Post - 2015 Development Agenda for the period 2015 to 2030 and the relevance of biodiversity for the achievement of sustainable development.

The celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity aims to draw attention of governments, communities and individuals about biodiversity and the raising of environment awareness on issues pertinent to biodiversity, which has been experiencing remarkable deterioration due to various factors.

In a statement, Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, said that the UAE continues to build on previous achievements to bolster protection of biodiversity and the ecosystems.

The UAE's effort, he said, seeks to advance its regional and international stature based on the UAE Vision 2021, the UAE National Agenda, the UAE's Strategy for Green Development as well as the strategic plans drawn up by the federal government and the local governments.

The minister added that the UAE also continues to be an active player at the relevant international conventions, organisations and meetings where it mobilises regional and international efforts to protect biodiversity and combat illegal trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna.