Message from the Honourable Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity,
(May 22, 2026):
Theme: “Acting Locally for Global Impact”
As we celebrate International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) 2026, Trinidad and Tobago reaffirms its commitment to protecting our unique ecosystems, from our marine habitats to our lush northern range forests. As a Small Island Developing State, Trinidad and Tobago does not need to look far to understand the value of biodiversity, and recognise that our local actions are crucial to global survival. It is in the vibrant coral reefs that protect our coastlines, the mangroves that shield us from storm surges, the forests that purify our air, and the indigenous species that make our islands unique.
The Convention on Biological Diversity’s theme for commemoration of this year’s IDB “Acting Locally for Global Impact“ reminds us that protecting our biodiversity is not just a distant goal, but a daily duty. Biodiversity is not just about our plants and animals; it is the foundation of our food security, our health, and our economy. Whether it is safeguarding our leatherback turtles on our coasts, preserving our endemic species, or managing our natural resources responsibly, our small actions create a large ripple effect in the global effort to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
Trinidad and Tobago has made a strong commitment to the conservation and protection of biodiversity.
This includes biodiversity-supportive land use planning; forest and agricultural landscape restoration and biodiversity protection through the strengthening of the capacity farmers and agricultural extension officers with knowledge and skills in agroecology; creating an enabling environment for green, biodiversity-friendly value chain development; restoring degraded ecosystems; and knowledge management and monitoring.
We are also committed to strengthening global action to halt the loss of biodiversity. The recent development of new National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2030), is our commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the global efforts at reversing biodiversity loss under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
It is to be noted, that biodiversity conservation is not solely the responsibility of the Government. It requires a “whole-of-society” approach. I call upon every citizen of the global community, to:
- Reduce waste and eliminate single use plastics that threaten our marine life.
- Support local conservation initiatives and sustainable practices.
- Protect our endemic flora and fauna, which exist nowhere else on Earth.
Let us turn commitment into action and act as true stewards of globe and our tiny twin island nation. Our natural heritage is our shared responsibility. Let us secure a thriving, resilient world and Trinidad and Tobago for future generations. Happy International Day for Biological Diversity!“
