SA host International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 in Boksburg

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh

South Africa has hosted the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 Global Flagship Event in Boksburg, marking the first time a member state has been selected to host the global observance.

The event brought together government leaders, scientists, environmental organisations and international delegates ahead of COP17 in Armenia later this year.

Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh says biodiversity action must move beyond policy discussions and lead to tangible impact on the ground.

“Today for Biological Diversity, our message is simple. Biodiversity action must move from policy to implementation, and from implementation to impact…Biodiversity delivers for both people and nature.”

“Biodiversity provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food systems we depend on, and the climate stability we require to live.

Let us therefore not treat the 2030 targets and 2050 goals as distant ambitions. Let us treat every indigenous tree planted, every… pic.twitter.com/AkYl8OUlx7

— Environmentza (@environmentza) May 22, 2026