5 March 2023 Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated UN member countries for finalizing a text to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, calling it a “breakthrough” after nearly two decades of talks. “This action is a victory for multilateralism and for global efforts to counter the destructive trends […]
Category: Global Biodiversity
First-ever World Seagrass Day focuses on conservation
1 March 2023 The United Nations on Wednesday called for more action to protect one of the most widespread and important marine ecosystems on the planet, marking the first ever commemoration of World Seagrass Day. Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters from the tropics to the Arctic Circle, covering over […]
Major reports on biodiversity, ecosystem services to be launched at UN-backed meeting in Medellin
With our planet’s flora and fauna facing unprecedented threats, science and policy experts are set to gather next week in Medellin, Colombia, for a United Nations-backed meeting to consider five landmark reports aiming to inform better decisions by Governments, businesses and even individuals on biodiversity, and issues of land degradation and restoration. “Literally, all Governments […]
Dry, hot weather likely to reduce harvests in southern Africa, UN warns
Southern Africa’s water sources and crops are under serious pressure as a long dry spell and high temperatures have taken hold in the region, the United Nations agriculture agency said Tuesday, warning that after record maize production in 2017, food shortages are set to worsen this year. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that while cereal […]
UN and partners launch campaign to tackle new fungus strain threatening world’s bananas
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Wednesday that it is working with partners to help protect the world’s banana crops a new strain of fungus, known as Fusarium wilt TR4, which can last for years in the soil. According to FAO, the “insidious” fungus poses major risks to global banana production […]
New lab will boost UN efforts to keep harmful insects at bay
The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today opened the doors of a new laboratory to help countries use a nuclear technique to keep harmful insects, such as mosquitoes and fruit flies, at bay. The modern Insect Pest Control Laboratory (IPCL), located in Seibersdorf, Austria, will boost the Agency’s ability to assist Member States […]