The International Biodiversity Day under the theme “Agreement to Action to Build Back Biodiversity” and in giving emphasis to the commemoration day, the 1^st International Research Conference on” Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management: Opportunities and Challenges”, were celebrated & conducted on May 22–23, 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event and the conference were organized by the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI) in collaboration with HoAREC&N-CABES Project and other partners with aim to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues and boost stakeholder’s roles of enhancing cooperation in biodiversity conservation.

Among others, a message from Mr. David Cooper (Acting Executive Secretary of CBD) via a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXzvoIWcm94)that request the world community to strongly participate in halting and reversing biodiversity loss to realize the achievement of goals and targets of the Kunming-Motorial global biodiversity framework by aligning national targets with the targets of the framework through involving every citizen of the world.

150 representatives from policymakers, Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations, Community elders, academia Researchers, Private sectors and Media participated, and discussion was held and the consensus has been reached among participants to play significant roles for achievement of Kunming-Motorial Global Biodiversity Framework objectives and goals.

CABES team presented a poster about the CABES project and PP presentation on “Biodiversity in the Horn of Africa: Treasures, treats and Build Back Efforts”.