UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon's Message On The International
Day for Biological Diversity
22 May 2009 - The global
decline in biodiversity remains alarming,
despite agreement at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development to significantly
reduce the rate of loss by 2010.
The main causes include
deforestation, changes in habitat and land
degradation, often linked to the growing
impact of climate change. Another threat
– the focus of this year's observance of
the International Day for Biological Diversity
– is the spread of invasive alien species.
An unwanted by-product
of globalization, non-native species are
harming ecosystem services, livelihoods
and economies throughout the world. The
Government of South Africa alone is spending
as much as $60 million per year in an attempt
to eradicate plants, such as wattles, that
are invading valuable farmland, river systems
and economically important tourist sites
such as the Cape Floral Kingdom.
In the Great Lakes of
North America, zebra mussels are affecting
shipping, fisheries and electric power generation.
Throughout the islands of the Pacific Ocean,
rats from foreign ships are exterminating
indigenous birds. In many countries in Africa,
water hyacinth is clogging lakes and rivers,
to the detriment of aquatic wildlife and
the communities and industries that profit
from it.
There are many other
examples of how invasive alien species can
affect native biodiversity, agriculture,
forestry, fisheries and even human health.
Such threats stand to be exacerbated by
the other drivers of biodiversity loss,
and climate change in particular. The implications
for poverty reduction, sustainable development
and the Millennium Development Goals are
profound.
The Convention on Biological
Diversity is addressing the threat of invasive
alien species by setting global priorities
and guidelines, sharing information and
expertise, and helping to coordinate international
action. The most cost-effective and feasible
method of control is prevention. To be successful,
this strategy requires collaboration among
Governments, economic sectors and non-governmental
and international organizations. A country
can only prevent invasions if it knows which
species may invade, where they may come
from and the best management options for
dealing with them.
Individuals, too, have
a responsibility. Abiding by local and international
quarantine and customs regulations will
prevent the spread of insect pests, weeds
and diseases. A simple rule applies: leave
living organisms in their natural habitats
and bring home only memories.
Next year is the International
Year of Biological Diversity. Highlights
include a high-level segment of the United
Nations General Assembly and the 10th meeting
of the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity, in Nagoya,
Japan. These events will help to shape future
strategies to preserve the planet's ecosystems.
Controlling invasive alien species and addressing
the other causes of biodiversity loss is
an increasingly urgent task. I urge all
Governments, organizations and individuals
to renew their efforts to protect life on
Earth.
