Message from the Federal Minister on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026

 

On the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, I want to begin by highlighting the theme “Acting locally for global impact,” which is not just a slogan but a clear call for practical and sustained action. For Pakistan, this message is especially relevant. Our country lies at the intersection of major biogeographic regions, the Eurasian, Oriental, and Ethiopian realms, which gives us an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems and species. This unique location means that whatever we conserve or lose at the local level has implications that extend well beyond our borders, directly influencing regional ecological balance and global biodiversity.

 

Pakistan’s landscapes are also part of critical migratory routes, particularly bird flyways such as the Indus Flyway, used by millions of migratory birds every year. This places a shared responsibility on us to protect wetlands, forests, rangelands, and coastal ecosystems that sustain these movements across continents. Our conservation efforts in these habitats, along with the expansion of protected areas and community-led initiatives, are contributing to the survival of species that depend on transboundary ecological networks. At the same time, we must remain attentive to our unique endemic species, including the Punjab Urial and the Blind Indus Dolphin, species found nowhere else on Earth, whose survival depends entirely on effective local conservation actions.

 

Biodiversity remains central to ecological stability, economic resilience, and the well-being of our communities. Through the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, we are aligning our national priorities with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Programmes such as the Upscaling of Green Pakistan Programme are helping restore ecosystems, expand afforestation, and promote sustainable land management while also supporting livelihoods and strengthening climate resilience across the country.

 

Our approach is firmly rooted in nature-positive development, where conservation is mainstreamed across sectors and supported through inclusive participation. We are strengthening institutional coordination, improving monitoring systems, and building partnerships with provinces, communities, academia, and the private sector. Internationally, Pakistan continues to actively contribute to biodiversity conservation across all relevant fora, including as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, reflecting our commitment to collective regional environmental responsibility. At the global level, Pakistan has also supported ocean conservation efforts through the signing of the High Seas Treaty, the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

 

On this occasion, I urge all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to protecting our natural heritage. By strengthening local actions, protecting ecosystems, conserving species, and adopting sustainable practices, we can ensure impacts that extend far beyond our national boundaries. The role of the United Nations and other international partners will also remain essential in advancing this shared global agenda for biodiversity conservation.

 

“Local actions, collective impact: securing nature for our future.”

 

 

 

Message from the Secretary on the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026

 

Our immediate priority is to operationalize the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) through clear mandates, coordinated implementation, and robust, data-driven monitoring systems. All relevant entities are directed to align sectoral plans, allocate adequate resources, and adhere to defined timelines and performance indicators to ensure effective delivery.

 

Building on ongoing efforts, we are strengthening implementation through targeted initiatives such as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and sustainable land-use planning. These approaches are expanding conservation beyond formally protected areas, integrating biodiversity considerations into production landscapes, and promoting balanced land management that supports both ecological integrity and socio-economic needs. At the same time, Pakistan’s local conservation efforts, such as the Upscaling of Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP), are contributing directly to habitat restoration, afforestation, and ecosystem resilience, generating benefits that extend beyond national boundaries due to our shared ecosystems, species, and ecological corridors with neighboring regions.

 

We are also committed to working closely with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) that contribute to biodiversity conservation, with strong engagement of youth and local communities. Under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, Pakistan has recently added two new MAB sites to the global network, and efforts are ongoing to expand this network further to enhance ecosystem conservation and scientific collaboration.

 

At the regional and international levels, Pakistan is strengthening cooperation through multiple platforms. Our participation in the Middle East Green Initiative reflects our commitment to regional ecosystem restoration and climate-linked biodiversity action. In addition, we have concluded several bilateral Memoranda of Understanding focused on wildlife protection, habitat conservation, and sustainable resource management. Pakistan is also actively contributing to conservation-related initiatives under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), reinforcing the importance of shared regional responsibility in addressing biodiversity loss.

 

We will scale up local initiatives through structured technical and institutional support, ensuring that community-led actions are aligned with national priorities. Strong implementation mechanisms are being enforced, supported by improved coordination across federal, provincial, and local levels. At the same time, we are enhancing monitoring, reporting, and verification systems to track progress against national biodiversity targets. A successful example such as the trophy hunting program demonstrates how well-managed local conservation models can deliver dual benefits, protecting species and habitats while also contributing to the socio-economic uplift of local communities. Such models are being refined and replicated where appropriate.

 

Accountability remains central to our approach. We are instituting strict performance frameworks, ensuring transparency, and linking outcomes with responsibilities at all levels. The use of digital reporting and online monitoring systems is strengthening evidence-based decision-making and improving implementation efficiency.

 

All stakeholders are expected to actively contribute to this process, ensuring that local actions are effectively translated into national progress and, ultimately, global impact. Through Pakistan’s diverse ecosystems and shared environmental linkages, our conservation efforts at the local level inherently support regional ecological stability and global biodiversity outcomes.

 

“Local actions, collective impact: securing nature for our future.”