Notification 2026-028

Dear Sir or Madam,

In its resolution A/RES/55/201 dated 8 February 2001, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)  to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This date commemorates the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 22 May 1992. 

In the same resolution, the General Assembly reiterated its request to the United Nations Secretary-General, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity to take all steps necessary to ensure the successful observance of IDB. 

I am pleased to inform you that the theme of IDB 2026 is “Acting locally for global impact”. A global communication campaign about this theme is envisaged in the lead-up to the observance, starting in early May. The enclosed concept note lays out the rationale and structure of the thematic campaign and outlines action expected from Parties, stakeholders and the public at large.

The Secretariat requests video messages on the theme of IDB 2026 from the COP President, the incoming President-designate and former Presidencies of the Conference of the Parties. The Secretariat also requests the issuance of written (not exceeding 450 words) or video messages in one of the six official languages from high-level representatives of Parties, stakeholders, intergovernmental organizations, members of the civil society and representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth. The messages should be transmitted via a download or transfer link to secretariat@cbd.int copying mea-cbd-comms@un.org no later than 15 May 2026. 

CBD Focal Points are invited to organize the publication of these messages on 22 May 2026 through their institutional channels, including websites and social media accounts, using the #BiodiversityDay hashtag or its language versions.

The Secretariat is currently developing a suite of communication products to enable a broad uptake of the campaign, including a logo and digital assets for messaging and advocacy on social media. The suite of communication products will be posted on the IDB 2026 web page in April 2026. 

I thank you and look forward to your participation in the IDB 2026 global campaign.  

Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration. 

(Signed) Astrid Schomaker

Executive Secretary

Enclosure: Theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026: “Acting locally for global impact”