International Biodiversity Day was celebrated on May 22, 2023 at Haile Grand Hotel with the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”.

On the occasion, Mr. Anteneh Fikadu, State Minister Counselor of Natural Resources Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, gave an opening speech. Messages delivered by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and a video message from the Secretary General of the International Convention on Biological Diversity.

Documents related to the Day were presented and discussed by Professor Sebsebe Demessew from Addis Ababa University, Dr. Shiferau Tadese, representative of (GGGI) Ethiopia, Professor Mekuria Argaw from (HoA-REC&N) and Dr. Hailu Araya from PELUM Ethiopia.

Dr. Feleke Woldeus, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, led the discussion and pointed out that the National Ecosystem Survey document, which includes biodiversity issues and has been prepared and will soon be implemented. In addition, the experiences of the representative farmers of Social Seed Banks are also presented.