The Equator Initiative, UNDP held three major events on May 22 and May 23 to recognize the International Day for Biological Diversity.

On the afternoon of May 22, they announced the five winners of the Equator Prize at the UN Press Office. On of the winners was present in New York City for a press briefing. Two UNDP Press Conferences accompanied this.

At 11 am, a joint press conference with the CBD and the UNDP/EI took place, focusing on local community involvement in conservation. The press conference began by highlighting the International Day. It had a very positive atmosphere and was well received by the press. It addressed the issue of MDGs through stimulating local enterprise and poverty alleviation as well as education. The Massai representative touched upon the importance of biodiversity and opportunities in ecotourism.

On the evening of May 22, the Equator Initiative joined with Aveda and Tribal Link for a special celebratory evening for the Equator Prize Winners and to recognize the critical role that indigenous people play in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The event was hosted at the Aveda office in New York City.

On May 23, the Equator Initiative partnered with Aveda, Tribal Link and the GEF Small Grants Programme to host an official side event at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The event was a dialogue on indigenous entrepreneurship with indigenous representatives, the private sector, business leaders, academics, donors and policy-makes that are interested and/or involved in indigenous entrepreneurship activities.