The United Nations has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.

Biodiversity is one of our biggest assets, as together with Seychelles’ world-famous beaches, our green environment attracts thousands of visitors to our islands every year.

Yet biodiversity – the complex web of unique species and fragile ecosystems – is at risk everywhere and needs havens like Seychelles to preserve it.

Tourism leaders in Seychelles are today asking each one of us to help protect and sustainably manage biodiversity.

We need a healthy biodiversity to strengthen the tourism industry, helping it to bring more wealth to our shores and to create extra jobs while boosting national growth for the benefit of all.

Nearly 50% of our land mass is now designated as protected areas, and environment conservation is high on our government’s daily agenda.

Safeguarding our biodiversity is an urgent challenge for us, and as we move ahead Together, Ready for the Future, we have to bear in mind that protecting biodiversity is one of our individual and joint responsibilities.