“Biodiversity is collapsing as one million species teeter on the brink of extinction. We must end these relentless and senseless wars on nature.” 

UN Secretary-General António Guterres n his message on Mother Earth Day, 22 April 2023 

This month’s Goal of the Month editorial focuses on Goal 15, which is about protecting life on land. It is to conserve and restore terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and stop biodiversity loss.  

Why it matters

Goal 15 matters because healthy ecosystems and the biological diversity they support are a source of food, water, medicine, shelter and other material goods. They also provide ecosystem services – the cleaning of air and water – which sustain life and increase resiliency. 

However, the planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature because of human activity. The stakes could not be higher as one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction, many within decades. 

SDG 15 by the Numbers

  • The world lost 100 million hectares of forest from 2000 to 2020. Agricultural expansion is the direct driver for almost 90% of global deforestation.
  • More than one in five species are now threatened with extinction.
  • Between 2015 and 2019, the world lost at least 100 million hectares of healthy and productive land every year, affecting food and water security globally.

Landmark Biodiversity Pact 

The United Nations is working ceaselessly to ensure that Goal 15 is achieved.  At the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022, governments reached a landmark agreement – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – to guide global action on nature through 2030.  It aims to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems and protect indigenous rights. The framework includes concrete measures to halt and reverse nature loss by putting 30 per cent of the planet and 30 per cent of degraded ecosystems under protection by 2030. It also contains proposals to increase finance to developing countries.

Deep dive into Goal 15 and COP15:  

In March 2023, the UN 2023 Water Conference brought together more than 10,000 representatives from government, businesses, civil society, academia and others to seek solutions to the global water and sanitation crisis.  The main outcome was the Water Action Agenda containing more than 750 voluntary commitments registered by stakeholders. The Conference addressed many Goal 15-related issues, including sustainable agriculture, groundwater scarcity and contamination, transboundary water cooperation, and conservation of wetlands.

Moment of Hope 

With 2023 marking the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is time for urgent action.  The Secretary-General’s report (special edition) on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, released in late April, warned that only 12 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) targets are on track. The report calls for a commitment from all countries to end the war on nature, urging them to support the Acceleration Agenda for climate action and deliver on the new global biodiversity framework.

It also calls for deep reforms to the international financial architecture and for an SDG Stimulus, which aims to scale up affordable long-term financing for all countries in need, by at least $500 billion a year. In his briefing to Member States, UN Secretary-General Guterres spotlighted the upcoming SDG Summit in September as “a moment of truth and of reckoning”, declaring: “It must also be a moment of hope — when we unite to turn the tide and kick-start a new drive for SDG achievement.”

In Focus

International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May)

This year’s global celebration for biodiversity will build on the results of COP 15 with the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”. Now that the world has adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement (GBF), the focus must quickly shift to its implementation and action.

The 22-day campaign, kicking off on 1 May, encourages all stakeholders to launch their actions to implement the GBF or amplify the actions they’ve already taken on and inspire others to do the same. In addition, videos messages from key partners, influencers and stakeholders will be shared showing support for #KMGBF and IDB 2023. Each day of the campaign will represent the 23 Actions and Targets adopted for the Framework. Additional details, including digital assets and social messaging, can be found here.

United Nations Forum on Forests (8-12 May)

This month, the sustainable management of the world’s forests will take centre stage at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Officials from UN Member States, the UN system, international and regional organizations will gather to discuss this critical planetary resource at the UN Forum on Forests on 8-12 May 2023.

What to Watch For

Launch of Key Biodiversity-Related Reports (2 May)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are releasing two important reports related to Goal 15. 

  • Decades of Mangrove Forest Change: What does it mean for nature, people and the climate? 

The report reviews the extent of mangrove forest cover and considers the potential consequences of changes in mangrove extent for more than 1,000 mangrove associated species including birds, fish, plants, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Further, the report analyses the potential consequences of changes in mangrove extent on carbon storage and for small scale fishers, demonstrating that restoration is clearly needed but showcases encouraging examples of mangrove recovery.  To view the full report, click here. 

  • Into the Blue: Securing a Sustainable Future for Kelp Forests 

This global synthesis report is the most comprehensive knowledge review on kelp to date, revealing the state of science on the world’s kelp forests and providing recommended actions to build the recovery of the world’s kelp forests.  See here for the full report. 

International Day of Argania (10 May)

The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is a native species of the sub-Saharan region of Morocco, in the southwest of the country, which grows in arid and semiarid areas. It’s the defining species of a woodland ecosystem, also known as Arganeraie, which is rich in endemic flora. It is resilient to a harsh environment under water scarcity, risk of erosion and poor soils.

This ecosystem is not only important in terms of conservation, but also for research and socio-economic development, due to its forestry, agricultural and livestock use. The Argan tree is considered a symbol of resistance and key pillar of sustainable development. It supports income generation, increases resilience and improves climate adaptation, playing a very important role in achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – at the local level. Learn more about this crucial resource here.

World Migratory Bird Day (13 May)

The 2023 World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on 13 May and 14 October, reflecting the cyclical nature of bird migration.  This year’s campaign will focus on the link between water and migratory birds. Most migratory birds rely on aquatic ecosystems during their life cycles. Inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds are all vital for feeding, drinking, or nesting, and also as places to rest and refuel during their long journeys. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened and so are the migratory birds that depend on them.  Find further details on the campaign here.

Coming Up

Africa Dialogue Series (1-24 May) 

The Africa Dialogue Series 2023 takes place from 1 to 24 May at UN Headquarters in New York under the theme, “Market and Scale: Unlocking Industrialization through Intra-African Trade,” which is anchored in the African Union’s theme of the year.  The programme focuses on accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area implementation and mobilizing political commitment to harness trade to effectively boost development across the region. 

Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (3-4 May) 

Science, technology and innovation are powerful tools for tackling climate change, boosting the economy and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The eighth annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum), from 3 to 4 May 2023, will facilitate discussions on science, technology and innovation cooperation in support of the SDGs. In addition to providing the mandated inputs for the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 10 to 19 July 2023, the Forum will also take a broader look at the contribution of STI to the achievement of all the SDGs in recognition of the September mid-term review of SDG progress. Find digital assets and further details and programme here.  

World Press Freedom Day (3 May) 

This year’s theme for World Press Freedom Day will be “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”. To mark the 30th Anniversary of the Day, UNESCO is hosting a special event at UN Headquarters in New York on 2 May, which can be followed on UN WebTV.  World Day will also be the occasion to award the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, which recognizes and honours the contributions of journalists, particularly those who risk their lives to provide essential information to the public.  

World Economic Situation and Prospects (17 May) 

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs will release the mid-year update of the World Economic Situation and Prospect (WESP) this month. The report will provide the latest assessment of the global economic situation, discuss major macroeconomic developments since the launch of the WESP 2023 in January, and present prospects for growth in these uncertain times. Policymakers are facing a complex economic context, where macroeconomic policies need to be carefully calibrated to strike a balance between taming inflation, ensuring financial stability supporting economic growth and employment, and managing the consequences of international spillovers. The report will be available here.  

Midterm Review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (18-19 May) 

The High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 will take place from 18-19 May 2023 at UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting provides a platform for Member States, UN system partners and other stakeholders to reflect on the findings and recommendations of the Midterm Review, examine context shifts and emerging issues since 2015, and identify course corrections and new initiatives to more effectively address the systemic nature of risk, and realise the outcomes and goals of the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and other agreements, frameworks and conventions. For promotional materials, please go to digital assets. 

International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29 May) 

This year, the United Nations will mark 75 years of peacekeeping. Observed under the theme “Peace begins with me”, the anniversary celebrates the world’s peacemakers – from peacekeepers, local community leaders to activists – who are the everyday champions of sustainable peace. It is a reminder of our responsibility to promote peace in our communities, countries and across the world – a conviction that has driven more than two million men and women to serve in over 70 peacekeeping operations since 1948. Learn more about events around the world to mark the day here. 

UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (30 May – 2 June) 

The UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent will hold its second session from 30 May to 2 June at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Permanent Forum is a platform bringing together UN entities, States, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to help guide the actions of the United Nations in addressing systemic racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this important year where we mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Permanent Forum will work to identify best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives under the theme “Realizing the Dream: A UN Declaration on the promotion, protection and full respect of the human rights of people of African descent”. Click here for more information and register to join.