The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day)

The United Nations established May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to raise awareness of biodiversity issues. Initially observed on December 29, marking the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the date was changed in 2000. The shift to May 22 commemorates the adoption of the Convention’s text on that date in 1992 during the Nairobi Final Act. The change also made it easier for countries to organize celebrations, avoiding the holiday season conflicts of late December.