culture

May 22 is International Day for Biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth. It is fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet and economic prosperity for all people.

However, the rapid loss and destruction of biodiversity are leading to serious consequences.

According to research findings, biodiversity loss could spread diseases transmitted from animals to humans while, on the other hand, if it is kept intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against epidemics.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022. The framework includes 23 action-oriented targets to be achieved by 2030 and four outcome-oriented goals to be achieved by 2050.

The theme of the International Day for Biodiversity 2025 is “Harmony with nature and sustainable development.”

The implementation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals brings about or catalyzes society- and economy-wide transformations, including those in agrifood systems, infrastructure, industry, energy consumption and production patterns, water and ecosystem management, urban planning, education and gender equality. These transformations are essential to the achievement of the KMGBF and the fulfilment of its vision.

The DPRK actively conducts the work to protect biodiversity.

It pushes the protection of land and environment according to mid-term and long-term plans, while improving the forest ecological environment and protecting forest biodiversity through the forest restoration campaign.

Efforts are also being intensified to enrich biodiversity by releasing many useful animals in mountains and seas.

The areas of Mt Paektu, Mt Kuwol, Mt Myohyang, Mt Chilbo and Mt Kumgang have been registered as world biosphere reserves and the Rason, Mundok, Sindo and Kumya migratory bird reserves as internationally important wetlands. Regular surveys and researches are conducted in biodiversity hot spots.

The Mt Paektu area of the DPRK was registered as a global geopark at the 221st meeting of the Executive Council of UNESCO held in Paris in April this year.

The DPRK is directing primary efforts to solving sci-tech problems arising in the ecological conservation of endangered and rare species and the protection and propagation of useful animals.

Various laws including those on the protection of useful animals, nature reserves and forests have been enacted and implemented in the country.