Press Release

Board View

Let's build our future together where all life coexists

▷ The Ministry of Environment celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity


Sejong, May 20 - The Minister of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity at the National Institute of Ecology (NIE, located in Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) on May 19.   Fifty people, including Vice Minister of Environment, Yoo Je-chul, Vice Governor of Culture and Sports of Chungcheongnam-do Province, Lee Woo-Seong, Governor of Seocheon-gun, No Pak-rae, and NIE President, Jo Do-sun. During the celebration, persons of merit were awarded, and performance was delivered to send a message on wildlife protection. The ceremony was also streamed live on the Ministry's YouTube Newsroom (youtube.com/c/mevnewsroom) and the website for the biodiversity day (2022생물다양성의날.kr) at 10 AM on May 19. 


In 1993, the United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The South Korean government has celebrated since 2010. This year's Biodiversity Day theme is "Let's build our future together where all life coexists." This theme was chosen by reflecting the theme by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)1 and the significance of participation in biodiversity conservation. For the past two years, the theme was "the answer rests in nature," emphasizing that nature holds the key to solving the current crisis we face. This year's theme means that empowered by the answers we found thus far, we now seek to advance to a new future. 


In the celebration, the Ministry of Environment emphasized preserving biodiversity to ensure a sustainable future, and everyone must participate in these efforts. The government awarded the nine people2 who contributed to improving biodiversity and protecting migratory birds. 

 

The Ministry of Environment declared May the "Month of Biodiversity" and encouraged public participation by promoting the celebration in advance. On the other hand, the Ministry also hosts other related events with local governments and affiliated organizations. The celebrations include the Children's Festival for Love of Life (May 5, National Institute of Biological Resources), Biodiversity Experience Class (May 17-18, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources), Removing Ecological Disturbance Species (May 19-25, Daegu Metropolitan City, Gyeongsangbuk-do), and Biodiversity Exploration with Citizens (May 28-29, Busan Metropolitan City).


The Ministry of Environment is also running public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the value of biodiversity and shift the social perception that wildlife is not a possession. On May 16, the Ministry posted a promotional video to encounter biodiversity benefits with classical music on its official YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/mevpr). The Ministry of Environment distributes DIY toolsets (550 sets) for children free of charge via the Biodiversity Day website. It will also hold a photo event to showcase the final products made by the DIY toolsets. From May 19 to August 19, an online contest for wildlife videos under the promotional slogan of "make nature a habit" (total prize KRW 10 million) will be held on the "contest website (2022wildelife.kr) to promote that wildlife should breed in nature, not by humans.


Vice Minister of Environment Yoo Je-Chul said, "Biodiversity is the essential asset on the earth we live. In honor of Biodiversity Day, we invite you to take action in your daily life in building a shared future for all lives."


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         


1 The official theme by the Secretariat of CBD is "Building a shared future for all life"

2 Among two Presidential Citations, two Prime Minister's Citations, and 28 Citations by the Minister of Environment, nine attendees (two Presidential Citations, one Prime Minister's Citation, and six Citations by the Minister of Environment) will be awarded at the event


Contact: Chung Yoon-hwan, Deputy Director

Biodiversity Division / +82-(0)44-201-7243


Foreign Media Contact: CHUN Minjo

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr