In 2010, in honour of the International Year of Biodiversity, representatives from all sectors around the world will work to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity. Particular attention will be paid to the many ways in which the environment’s natural functions help improve quality of life for humans.

“Since the Convention on Biological Diversity was signed in 1992, the Government of Québec has been committed to meeting the objectives it has set. At the tenth meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010, Québec will support States of the international community in fighting the loss of biological diversity,” states Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Ms. Line Beauchamp.

In celebration of the year’s theme, the Government of Québec is organizing and collaborating on a variety of activities. Its efforts will include contributions to major events like the International Economic Forum of the Americas and the International Congress on Biological and Cultural Diversity to be held in Montréal in June and July, respectively. The government will also use this year as an opportunity to highlight certain steps taken by conservation organizations to protect some of the rarest and most threatened aspects of nature as well as the support it provides to these organizations. Throughout the year, the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs will work to use Québec’s national parks as a tool to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity.

“The International Year of Biodiversity, which is almost upon us, is sure to increase awareness of this issue among Quebecers,” states Minister Beauchamp.

www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca