The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2010 the international year of Bio Diversity to raise awareness the prevention of our environment.

Minister for Environment, Local Government, Housing and Urban Development Col Samuela Saumatua said Fiji's environment and its bio diversity has always been the focus of development since the 1970s and even more so now with the coming in force of Fiji's Environment Management Act 2005.

Col Saumatua said being part of the United Nations Conventions on environment has also directed much attention to complying with international standards on environmental practices and guidelines and one such convention in the convention on Bio Diversity.

The minister added the National Bio Diversity Strategy and Action Plan implementation framework for 2010-2014 which is developed with clear guidance on the threats confronting Fiji's bio diversity and the roles of partners and resource users in addressing them.

He said this is an exciting year for the Ministry as government has approved the setting up of a statutory authority from the Department of Environment which would become the regulatory arm of the department.

He added this set up will allow the necessary resources for the department to undertaken its policy role and the administrative requirements under the various Acts.