In May 2026, South Africa hosted the Global Flagship Event in celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity. The event captured the energy and collaborative spirit of this year’s theme, “Acting locally for global impact”, serving as a powerful reminder that while global goals are set in conference rooms, progress is made where people live – in our cities and towns.

The discussions underscored two vital pillars for a nature-positive future:

• A whole of government approach: Local governments play a key role in the interface between people and nature, playing a critical role in implementing national biodiversity targets.
• A whole of society approach: From traditional leaders serving as custodians of the land to active community members and the private sector, we all share the responsibility to protect the biodiversity we depend on.

ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center was proud to participate at the event and engaged with voices from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), CONTRALESA, and the City of Ekurhuleni, who were instrumental in the workshops and dialogues held throughout the week.

The event emphasised that when we align our local efforts, we can effectively contribute to global biodiversity targets and secure a resilient, nature-focused future for all.