International Day for Biological Diversity

BEIJING, May 22 (CCTV.com) -- The International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated annually on May 22. The aim of the day is to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

2017 theme: Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism.

Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, host thermophilic bacteria which color the travertine terraces.

When the day was created in 1993 by the UN general Assembly, December 29 was the day. This was also the day on which the Convention for Biological Diversity entered into force. 

In 2000, the General Assembly changed the date to May 22. This was party in honor of the adoption of the text of the convention on May 22, 1992. But it was also hard for many countries to organize events on December 29, given all the holidays that already are in that time of the year.

Navigating the mangroves in the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve.

Every year, the celebrations of the day are organized around a different theme. This year's theme is: Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism. This theme has been chosen to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and can contribute to ongoing initiatives such as the Sustainable Tourism Programme.

The day will also mark the launch of the UN decade on Biodiversity.