Statement of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh at the Commemoration of the International Biodiversity Day 2021 by Kingdom of Eswatini, 27 May 2021 at Mantenga Cultural Centre

Good morning. 

I am pleased to join you today to commemorate the International Day of Biological Diversity.

I wish, from the onset, to thank the Government of Eswatini, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and all partners for ensuring that this important day is observed in the Kingdom of Eswatini, given the importance of public education and public awareness about the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems in this beautiful nation.

In fact, this commemoration is yet another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992 and entered into force in December 1993.

Let us start from the beginning if I may. For those like me who are or were slightly allergic to science at school, what is “Biodiversity”? Biodiversity is the shortened form of two words: "biological" and "diversity". It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live.

The theme for this year’s celebration is "We're part of the solution". From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better. The theme also underscores the importance of leaving no one behind.

A few days ago, on the 22nd of May 2021 (the actual day of the commemoration), the UN Secretary-General, Mr António Guterres urged Member States to reverse biodiversity loss, to improve human health, realize sustainable development and address the climate emergency.

He challenged each and every one of us to play a part for, as the Secretary-General rightly stated: “A healthy planet is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”. And as David Attenborough has rightly warned us over the years: “What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet”.

The loss of biodiversity-rich ecosystems is a major cause of concern everywhere.  According to a 2020 Protected Planet Report issued by UNEP, the international community has made major progress towards the global target on protected and conserved area coverage, but has fallen far short on its commitments on the quality of these areas. The loss of biodiversity reduces the capacity of ecosystems to provide goods and services, especially for water retention and flood reduction, thus exposing the population to climate and natural disasters, as experienced recently by Eswatini with the recent Tropical Cyclone Eloise.

Biological diversity resources are not only important for the environment; they are also the pillars upon which our lives depend. For example, fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about 3 billion people, globally. Plants provide over 80 per cent of the human diet while as many as 80 per cent of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant‐based medicines for basic healthcare.

As a lower-middle income country, Eswatini still depends heavily on the ecosystems functions provided by biodiversity for basic needs and income generation.

However, for the people of Eswatini, biodiversity is not just about food. many sectors of the country are also dependent on these ecosystems. Sugarcane production, for example, which is the largest agricultural output relies heavily on aquatic ecosystems, which are  sustained by 96.6 per cent of fresh water for their irrigation alone.

The UN Development System in Eswatini is pleased to be associated with efforts by the Government, especially the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, in tackling the drivers of biodiversity loss in Eswatini. These efforts include the GEF-funded project on Strengthening National Protected Areas System (SNPAS), which has made a significant contribution to expanding protected areas in Eswatini.

In this regard, our partnership has contributed to the development of integrated landscape management plans for Ngwempisi, Maloloja and Lubombo.  I am pleased to know that the integrated Landscape Plans are providing the needed frameworks for integrating nature-based solutions in national development. The Lubombo Landscape plan informed the designation of the first Man and Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO category in 2019. 

I am also informed that, through effective conservation measures frameworks, Eswatini has been able to secure 18,000 hectares of land for conservation by communities and private landowners, enabling the country to expand protected areas system from 3.9 per cent to 5.2 per cent over the past 5 years.  

These efforts are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, goals under our recently signed UNSDCF 2021-2025 and are aligned to the Government of Eswatini’s National Development Strategy.

As the global community is called to re-examine  its relationship with the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all the technological advances, we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, to name just a few.

The UN Development system in Eswatini  has identified biodiversity conservation as a key element of tackling climate change and pursuing sustainable economic growth. I am therefore pleased  to reiterate the UN  commitment and support to the Government in protecting biodiversity as a nature-based solution for achieving climate and sustainable development goals.

As stated by the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema: “now is the time to change our relationship with nature”.

We need to protect nature, restore ecosystems and establish a balance in our relationship with the planet.  We have a responsibility to keep our planet in a very good state, especially for the next generation.

Indeed, as a Native American proverb reminds us: “We do not inherit Earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children”

I leave you with those words and thank you for your attention.