UNU-IAS, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ), the Association for Interpretation Japan, and the Global Environmental Outreach Centre (GEOC) will organize a public Symposium on Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism: Discussing Interpretation in National Parks to celebrate the UN International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB).

Every year, commemorative ceremonies for the IDB are held all over the world to increase awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. This year’s international theme for the IDB is “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism”. The theme coincides with the observance of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

In light of this, the event will highlight the concept of interpretation with regard to national parks, which serve as necessary communications tools for educating visitors about nature while focusing on the locality and providing enjoyable experiences. The event will feature experts from the United States National Park Services, for which interpretation has become an important element of its brand. It also will offer the opportunity to learn from them about the organization’s planning, human resources development, and systems for facility management. In addition, discussion will include the implications of tourism for biological diversity and the SDGs.