The Belgian national focal point to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Belgium is no stranger to biodiversity. There are an estimated 35,000 animal species and 18,500 species of plant, algae, and fungi to be found here! You can find out everything you want to know about this species richness in the publications of the Belgian National Focal Point to the Convention on Biological Diversity. “That's a bit of a mouthful,” says Anne Franklin, who runs the focal point.

First here's a brief summary of the organisation: “The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international agreement which was signed by more than 193 countries in 1992. The convention works towards the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity. Each of the signatory countries has a national focal point which is the communication point for everything relevant to the Convention, and above all acts as an information centre for everybody which wants to know more about biodiversity.”

In Belgium the focal point is based in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), the research institute associated with the Museum. “The main advantage of this is that the National Focal Point is in the ideal position to foster the relationship between science and policy,” says Anne. “Thus new scientific information about biodiversity finds its way much easier into policy discussions.”

2010 is International Year of Biodiversity and so obviously going to be very important for the focal point. In May 2010 all the CBD signatory countries will come together at a conference in Nagoya (Japan) and together decide on future plans. Because Belgium is the acting chair of the European Union this year, Belgium will play a pivotal role at this important conference.

An important task of the focal point is communication about biodiversity. “Biodiversity is of life-or-death importance to all of us, and it is our task to make young and old aware of this. Only through all working together can we stop biodiversity loss.”

The focal point aims to reach to all sectors of the public, using all kinds of publications, media activities, conferences, training courses, and educational material. The “I give life to my planet” campaign is at the centre of its communication strategy.

“The campaign wants to attract as many people as possible to biodiversity, and let them see that with small individual actions, we can give a real boost to the protection of the biodiversity that surrounds us,” says Anne. “During the Year of Biodiversity the campaign will receive a huge boost, so that we will become known in every corner of Belgium. Belgian biodiversity is rich, and soon everyone will know it!”