Observed on May 22 each year, the day is used to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

The 2019 theme is “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”.

FAO has a long history of fostering sustainable agricultural development and the sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture to pursue its goal of ending poverty and hunger. Closely interlinked, biodiversity and ecosystem services support agriculture in multiple ways, benefitting farmers’ livelihoods and well-being.

Learn more about Biodiversity, food and agriculture through the following links:

Video Messages- International Day of Biodiversity 2019

FAO Director General- Jose Graziano da Silva

Deputy Director-General, Climate and Natural Resources- Maria Helena Semedo

Stories

Nature’s invisible connections and contributions to us

Biodiversity reveals the treasures all around us

Digital Report

The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture

Learn more about FAO's work on biodiversity