Peru

The National Environmental Council (CONAM) of Peru prepared several days of activities to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. The celebrations began on 18 May with a conference on free trade and biodiversity that focused on the fact that trade cannot exist without the environment. This was followed by a full day family-oriented event on May 19.

After a few words of welcome from the Executive Secretary of CONAM, there was a theatrical production on the value of biodiversity in everyday life, as well as access to interactive games for children. This was followed by a bus ride to the coast, which focused on appraising the public about the biodiversity found there.

On May 21, a formal conference of scientific experts, research institutions, private companies, students, and the general public was held. This forum focused on the positive and negative impacts of climate change on biodiversity and presented probable scenarios for adaptation and mitigation to the consequences. On May 22, the celebrations began with words of welcome from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, followed by the opening by the Prime Minister of Peru. Several messages were presented including those of the Executive Secretaries of both the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The day ended with a cocktail reception and an exhibition of all biodiversity-related products produced in Peru.

To read the messages in Spanish click here