Deputy Minister Singh to lead International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 Global Flagship Event
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, will deliver the keynote address at the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2026 Global Flagship Event, which will take place on Friday, 22 May 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, Gauteng.
This marks the first time that a Member State has been requested to host the flagship event for the International Day for Biological Diversity, positioning South Africa at the centre of global biodiversity implementation efforts.
Hosted under the theme “Acting Locally for Global Impact,” the event will highlight how local action, partnerships and community-led conservation contribute to global biodiversity goals, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience.
The IDB Global Flagship Event follows the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026 – 2036 Consultative Conference, taking place from 20 - 21 May 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel. The conference brings together government, communities, civil society, academia, business and development partners to engage on South Africa’s revised biodiversity strategy and implementation priorities ahead of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP17 taking place in Armenia later this year.
Members of the media are invited to cover the Global Flagship Event, followed by a media briefing:
EVENT DETAILS
International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 Global Flagship Event
Date: Friday, 22 May 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg
Media Briefing: Roadmap to COP17 & State of South Africa’s Biodiversity
Date: Friday, 22 May 2026
Time: 13h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg
To RSVP, please contact Noma Bolani on 066 112 3746 / nbolani@dffe.gov.za or Banele Mabena on 066 420 0144 / smabena@dffe.gov.za
Media Queries
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483
Email: znqayi@dffe.gov.za
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