The 2010 International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) is a special year declared by the UN General Assembly in recognition of the 2010 target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss worldwide. Migratory species and their habitats are increasingly threatened by habit loss, over-exploitation, pollution and climate change. Biodiversity and ecosystem services are vital for the well being of human society and long term prosperity but consequences of its loss are yet not fully understood.

Being an official partner of the International Year of Biodiversity, the Convention on Migratory Species joins the Convention on Biological Diversity to help raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity on a global scale. CMS, which has been recognized as CBD’s lead partner on issues regarding migratory species, will take steps to

• stress the importance of biodiversity for our well-being;
• redouble our efforts to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss.
• celebrate conservation success stories.

The 2010 IYB is promoting some important messages. First, humans are part of nature’s rich diversity and have the unique opportunity to protect it.

Second, biodiversity is essential for sustaining the living networks and systems that provide us all with health, wealth, food, fuel, water and the vital services our lives depend on. There is a great chain of connection between migratory species as gardeners of the forests, which in turn help stabilize the world’s climate.

Third, the main cause of biodiversity loss at an accelerated rate is human activity. However, but we can prevent this loss, but we need to take urgent action now to safeguard it.

And fourth, we have made some achievements to safeguard biodiversity but we need to do much more and we must act urgently.

Throughout 2010, CMS’s IYB website will highlight its successful contribution to conserving migratory animals and their habitats. With reference to “Species of the Day” section on the UNEP website, CMS will also inform on actions taken towards conserving its endangered flagship species.

For more information please vist the official website of the International Year of Biodiversity.