Ms Edna Molewa, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, will lead the celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) at iSimangaliso Wetlands Park in KwaZulu-Natal on 22 May 2012. During the IDB event, the Minister will also launch the National Biodiversity Assessment report.
The United Nations proclaimed 22 May the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to protect ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss by increasing understanding through communication, education and public awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme for IDB this year is Marine Biodiversity and will focus on raising awareness on marine resources, their conservation and sustainable use as well as the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use.
South Africa became a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1995.
The National Biodiversity Assessment report is a comprehensive technical assessment report of the state of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems, across terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine environments. The assessment has an emphasis on spatial biodiversity information including species and ecosystems and lays the foundation for effective management of biodiversity and for monitoring our progress against national and global targets.
The programme includes other key presentations. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to visit some of the sites at iSimangaliso and will be informed of the importance of Biological Diversity and its effects on the ecosystem as a whole.
Media are invited to attend:
Date: Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Time: 8h30 - 13h00
Venue: iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, KwaZulu Natal
To RSVP contact:
Banele Mabena at
Tel: 012 295 1607
E-mail: SMabena@environment.gov.za
Dimakatso Tsutsubi
Tel: 012 310 3936
E-mail: DTsutsubi@environment.gov.za
Moses Rannditsheni
Tel: 012 310 3901
Cell: 082 448 2450
E-mail: MRannditsheni@environment.gov.za
For media queries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
