Today, May 22, marks the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity  2026, a global moment to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

This year’s theme, “Acting Locally for Global Impact,” emphasizes that local conservation efforts, community participation, and individual environmental actions can collectively help halt and reverse biodiversity loss worldwide. The campaign encourages everyone to “look and learn” and “connect and act” in support of nature.

In Suriname, the Mangrove+ Project contributes directly to this vision by supporting local actions that protect the country’s vital mangrove ecosystems. These ecosystems are essential for biodiversity which underpins sustainable livelihoods along the coast. Despite being dominated by only a few tree species, mangrove ecosystems  in Suriname support a rich diversity of life, including hundreds of fish species, crabs, shrimp, and hundreds of  bird species . Mangrove ecosystems  serve as vital nurseries for many marine species, with a large proportion of commercially important fish depending on them at some stage of their life cycle.

Protecting mangroves is therefore a key national priority, underscored in  Suriname’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2024–2035), which  emphasizes conserving critical ecosystems, including coastal and marine habitats; promoting sustainable use of natural resources; strengthening community involvement in biodiversity management; and enhancing knowledge, monitoring, and collaboration among stakeholders. Mangroves also contribute significantly to climate resilience by stabilizing coastlines, reducing erosion, and storing large amounts of carbon, making them one of the most valuable ecosystems for both biodiversity and climate action.

By aligning national priorities with community-driven solutions, the Mangrove+ Project demonstrates how local action can deliver lasting global benefits. As Suriname continues to advance the implementation of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, sustained collaboration between government, communities, and partners remains essential.

The Mangrove+ Project is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Government of Suriname.

Learn more about the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Suriname: DOCUMENTS-UPDATED-NBSAP-2024-2035-NBAP-2024-2030.pdf