May 22 is sanctioned as The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) by the United Nations. 

The theme of 2016 IDB is “Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.”

Biodiversity is the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems. It therefore underpins peoples’ livelihoods and sustainable development in all areas of activity, including economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, among others. By halting biodiversity loss, we are investing in people, their lives and their well-being.

In Japan, a variety of activities have been conducted toward the mainstreaming of biodiversity.　On 21 May 2016, a public symposium by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) was held at the United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo. 

● Public symposium “Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Sustaining People and their Livelihoods with Mori, Sato, Kawa, Umi to celebrate the UN International Day for Biological Diversity”
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB-J) facebook
https://www.facebook.com/UNDBJ/posts/916266345157770

The thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13) to be held in Cancun, Mexico from 4 to 17 December 2016 will focus on the mainstreaming of biodiversity within and across sectors, which is closely linked to this year’s IDB theme.

The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity being awarded for the fourth time in 2016 also aims at making contributions to the mainstreaming of biodiversity.

We hope The MIDORI Prize can provide an opportunity to consider “how our livelihoods and lives are supported by biodiversity,” and “how we should change our lifestyles in the future” by awarding individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and showcasing the notable work of those it honours.

On the day of the IDB 2016, a message from MOEJ, supporter of The MIDORI Prize, was delivered:
Mr. Michiyuki Nishiyama
Director, Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Biodiversity Policy Division, Nature Conservation Bureau, MOEJ
“Recognition and advancement of the usefulness of economic approaches for mainstreaming biodiversity are included in the Communiqué of G7 Toyama Environment Ministers’ Meeting, held in May in Toyama City, Japan.  UNDB is now halfway through the period from 2011 to 2020, and MOEJ is required to conduct more effective measures in regard to mainstreaming biodiversity.  We expect that mainstreaming biodiversity could be further promoted through The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity - showcasing the recipients’ contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.”

Nominations for The MIDORI Prize from diverse fields are expected toward the mainstreaming biodiversity.

Click here to start the nomination process

Reference website   https://www.cbd.int/idb/2016/ (Convention on Biological Diversity)