International Day for Biological Diversity2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/55/201
About International Day for Biological Diversity
International Day for Biological Diversity is observed on 22 May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity and the many ways living systems support ecosystems, communities and economies.
Biodiversity includes variation within species, between species and among ecosystems. The day can therefore cover habitats, genetic diversity, wildlife, agriculture, restoration, conservation and the human decisions that affect living systems.
Why International Day for Biological Diversity matters
The observance encourages people to connect local actions with the larger task of conserving and sustainably using biodiversity. It is especially useful for learning how land use, consumption, invasive species, pollution and climate pressures can interact with ecosystems.
Activities are strongest when they are locally grounded: learning which species and habitats actually occur nearby is more useful than treating biodiversity as an abstract global idea.
History of International Day for Biological Diversity
The UN originally designated 29 December, the date the Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force, as the International Day for Biological Diversity.
In 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as the observance date to commemorate adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 22 May 1992.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/49/119
First documented observance
A United Nations/UNEP press release describes 29 December 1995 as the first International Day for Biological Diversity.
Changed the annual observance date from 29 December to 22 May, the anniversary of adoption of the Convention text.
United Nations General Assembly · UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/201
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe International Day for Biological Diversity
Identify native species in a local park, garden or school grounds using a reputable field guide or biodiversity database.
Join a habitat-restoration, invasive-species removal or community science activity run by a credible local organization.
Review how a garden, campus or workplace landscape could provide more habitat through native plants and reduced pesticide use.
Learn about one protected area or threatened ecosystem in your region and the communities involved in its stewardship.
Choose one purchasing or waste-reduction change that reduces unnecessary pressure on land, forests, oceans or wildlife.
International Day for Biological Diversity Facts
International Day for Biological Diversity is observed on 22 May.
The observance was originally associated with 29 December.
The UN General Assembly changed the date to 22 May in 2000.
The current date commemorates adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 22 May 1992.
The purpose of the day is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
International Day for Biological Diversity Messages
On International Day for Biological Diversity, may appreciation for the natural world lead to informed stewardship and practical care for the places and species around us.
May International Day for Biological Diversity inspire curiosity about the living world and thoughtful action to protect it.
Celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity by learning from credible conservation sources and choosing one practical way to reduce harm or support protection.
Wishing everyone marking International Day for Biological Diversity a day of discovery, respect for nature and care that continues beyond today.
International Day for Biological Diversity Quotes
“The conservation of biological diversity is a common concern of humankind.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Convention on Biological Diversity — International Day for Biological Diversity (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/49/119 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/55/201 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Meetings Coverage — first International Day for Biological Diversity (opens in a new tab)
cbd.int — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
un.org — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day for Biological Diversity?
22 May The documented recurrence rule is: 22 May.
Does International Day for Biological Diversity fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day for Biological Diversity an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations / Convention on Biological Diversity observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day for Biological Diversity?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is International Day for Biological Diversity international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations / Convention on Biological Diversity observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is International Day for Biological Diversity?
It is observed every year on 22 May.
Why did the date change from 29 December to 22 May?
The UN General Assembly changed the date in 2000 so the observance would commemorate adoption of the Convention’s text on 22 May 1992 and be easier for countries to organize around.
What does biodiversity mean?
In the Convention on Biological Diversity context, biodiversity covers the variety of life within species, between species and across ecosystems.
Other observances on May 22
These observances are also listed on May 22, 2027.
Commemoration of the abolition of slavery — Martinique
French Law no. 83-550 established the territorial abolition-commemoration public-holiday framework, Decree no. 83-1003 fixed 22 May for Martinique, and current Labour Code article L3422-2 p…
Harvey Milk Day
SB 572 (Chapter 626, Statutes of 2009) established the annual May 22 California designation; current CDE material cites Education Code section 37222.13.
National Craft Distillery Day
National Day Calendar identifies Nicholas Strauser, Connie Strauser and Brandy Strauser-Sobanski of N Scott Distillery as the 2019 founders and records May 22 as the annual observance date.
National Maritime Day
United States Code, title 36 §128
National Vanilla Pudding Day
Two Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals chapter calendars list National Vanilla Pudding Day on 22 May.
World Goth Day
World Goth Day official material verifies May 22, a 2009 UK Goth Day precursor, 2010 global expansion, co-founders BatBoy Slim and Martin Oldgoth, and current community stewardship.