RIYADH, 22 May 2004 — A series of events will be organized throughout the Kingdom today for the International Day for Biological Diversity in line with a UN program that involves 150 member countries.
The theme of the day is “Food, Water and Health for All”, and was chosen to reflect the Convention on Biological Diversity’s firm commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
“Biodiversity is the source of essential goods and ecological services that constitute the source of life for all. The celebration each year of International Day for Biological Diversity is an occasion to reflect on our responsibility to safeguard this precious heritage for future generations,” said the Secretary General of the National Commission For Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) Dr. Abdulaziz Abu Zinada.
He added that the theme underlines biodiversity’s importance in ensuring food security, adequate supplies of water, and in protecting the wide array of traditional medicines and modern pharmaceuticals that are based on the world’s biological wealth.
The Environmental Awareness Center at the headquarters of the NCWCD will be opened for school students, today, to show them the conservation efforts made by the Kingdom in protecting its wildlife and environment.
Arrangements have also been made with the print and electronic media to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues through special programs on biodiversity.
