What is World Wildlife Day?
On 20 December 2013 at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), March 3 was declared United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD).
This day holds significance as the day that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973. The UNGA Resolution designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar. UN World Wildlife Day has now become the global annual event dedicated to wildlife.
People everywhere rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet our needs – from food, to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. For us to enjoy the benefits and the beauty that nature brings us and our planet, people have been working together to make sure ecosystems are able to thrive and plant and animal species are able to exist for future generations. So, let’s celebrate wildlife and the important conservation work being done around the world!
“Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”
For World Wildlife Day 2025, join us in exploring how we can work together to finance wildlife conservation more effectively and sustainably and build a resilient future for both people and the planet.
Wild animals and plants, from the highland steppes to the coral reefs, are intrinsic to the intricate web of life on Earth. They sustain ecosystems, regulate natural processes, and support biodiversity, providing essential services that underpin human livelihoods and contribute to the achievement of our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Forests alone house 60,000 tree species, 80 per cent of amphibian species, and 75 per cent of bird species, while supporting over 1.6 billion people with natural capital in the form of food, medicine, and income.
With over 1 million species estimated to be threatened with extinction, and facing the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation is more urgent than ever. More than half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature, making biodiversity loss a significant threat to financial stability. For example, fisheries contribute over 10 per cent of GDP in some countries, yet over one-third of marine fish stocks are overfished, leading to unemployment, disrupted economies, and illegal harvesting practices.
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