International Day for Biological Diversity was institutionalized by the United Nations General Assembly and has been held annually since 2001.

The aim of this day is to attract the world's attention to the problems of the loss of flora and fauna species, and reduction of biodiversity.

Currently, nearly all Eurasian ecosystems and 80% of all Arctic species can be found in Russia. Nearly 20% of Russia's flora and fauna species are endemic.

More than 85% of animals and plants that form the basis of Russia's biodiversity are found in Russia's protected natural areas.

In 2012, the concept for the development of the system of federal protected natural areas until 2020 was adopted. As part of this, eleven more reserves, 17 national parks, and one federal reserve will be established within eight years' time. Federal protected natural areas will expand by 18% to cover a total of 3% of Russia's territory.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has prepared major documents which aim to encourage more people to take part in nature conservation activities. To ensure a thorough approach in resolving environmental issues, the Russian Government drafted and approved the Environmental Protection 2012-2020 state programme. One of its basic principles is the conservation of biodiversity. This was included in the nature conservation law and federal laws, including those on the animal world, hunting and conservation of hunting resources, as well as in the Forest Code.

Russia's Red Data Book is still key to conservation. All of its categories and major species, including the Amur tiger and the Persian leopard, have been preserved.