FORUM: ”Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.” World Wildlife Day 2026. This year’s theme shines a spotlight on the extraordinary plants that have supported human well‑being for centuries. It also invites us all to learn from the communities, experts and knowledge‑holders working to conserve these species and the cultural traditions surrounding them. The year also coincide with the 51st anniversary of the entry into force of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1975. With more than 1 million species now estimated to be threatened with extinction amid the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent. Over half of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) is dependent on nature, making biodiversity loss an increasing threat to financial stability and livelihoods. Let’s celebrate the incredible diversity of wild fauna and flora that sustains our planet. As the global celebration will invite us to rediscover the richness of medicinal and aromatic plants - plants that represent cultural heritage, and support livelihoods - hold immense value for human and planetary health. The celebration will recognize the traditional knowledge behind their use, the communities conserving these species, and our shared responsibility to ensure their conservation for future generations. Building on a collaborative spirit, the forum will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing solutions and advancing wildlife conversation on how innovative finance can contribute to halting biodiversity loss, raising the interest of private sector stakeholders to invest in wildlife conservation, and creating a sustainable future. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WWD2026, #Medicinalplants, #Aromaticplants #3March, #WorldWildlifeDay, #WWD2026, #wildlifeconservation.
EVENTS: At UNHQ in New York, NY, United States of America. On March 3rd, the World Wildlife Day 2026 will be celebrated under the critical theme of “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. The event will showcase key global initiatives in wildlife finance. For example, the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to demonstrate how nature-positive economies can work for people and the planet; the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) established by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to help countries achieve the Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; the Green Climate Fund (GCF) which works to increase access to climate finance for biodiversity rich (and other) developing countries; the Biodiversity Credit Alliance which works to facilitate the transition to a nature positive economy; as well as other initiatives.
At UN GENEVA, on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, from 13:30 to 15:30 Central European Time, the World Wildlife Day 2026 Virtual Celebration will take place online. The virtual celebration will shine a spotlight the vital contributions of medicinal and aromatic plants to human health, cultural heritage, livelihoods and ecosystems, while celebrating those who steward them and reflecting on our shared responsibility to conserve these species and the benefits they provide for future generations. This event will feature stories and presentations about the sustainable use and conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants by Member States, scientific experts, high-level officials from international organisations, industry stakeholders, local community leaders and youth network members. The event will be moderated by Ms Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General, CITES. Explore the WWD 2026 panelists!
High-level Opening speakers include:
- Mr Kristopher Blake, Chair, CITES Standing Committee, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- H.E. Mrs Francisca Méndez Escobar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of México to the United Nations at Geneva
- Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP
- Ms Francine Pickup, Deputy Assistant Administrator, UNDP
Musical Performance with Medicinal Plants will be performed by Ms Helen Anahita Wilson, Composer, Sound Artist and Wellcome Trust Research Fellow, King's College London
2026 United Nations Endangered Species Stamps will be launched by the CITES Secretariat and the United Nations Postal Administration.
Lightning Talks on the Trade and Conservation of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants around the World will be moderated by Mr TING Wai Kit, Co-Founder, CITES Global Youth Network and Youth Executive, Mandai Nature.
Speakers include:
- Dr Rita Engel, Horticultural Engineer, Department of Botany in the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest
- Dr Melesse Maryo, Associate Professor, Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority
- Ms Kalpana Sharma Dhakal, Scientific Officer Department of Plant Resources of Nepal
- Dr Tim Synnott, Former Executive Director, Forest Stewardship Council
Statements from the Floor by Member States will be made by:
- H.E. Dr. Linkham Duangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- H.E. Ms Irene Vélez Torres, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia
- H.E. Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia
- Ms Célia de Lavergne, Director of Water and Biodiversity, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France
Jackson Wild 2026 Film Showcase Selections will be revealed by Ms Christie Quinn, Executive Director, Jackson Wild.
Stakeholder Stories from Along the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Value Chain will be moderated by Ms Anastasiya Timoshyna, Director of the European Programme Office, TRAFFIC and Co-Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission Medicinal Plant Specialist Group
Speakers include:
- Ms Emma Willliams, CITES Policy Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, United King of Great Britain and Northern Irelan
- Ms Neida Andi Arimuya, Kichwa Indigenous Spiritual Guide from the Amazonian Ecuador
- His Majesty MVONDO Bruno, the President of African Network of Traditional Leaders for Environmental Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Ecosystems and Forests, Cameroon
- Ms Elisa Aragon, Co-Founder, Nelixia, Paraguay.
- Ms Jamie Horst, Chief Purpose Officer, Traditional Medicinals, United States of America
Ifaw 2026 Youth Art Contest Winners and Finalists will be announced by Mr Azzedine Downes, President and CEO, ifaw
Takeaway Messages will be delivered by:
Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN
Mr Richard Scobey, Executive Director, TRAFFIC
Closing.
This virtual event is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Geneva Environment Network (GEN), Jackson Wild, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw), TRAFFIC and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Medicinal Plant Specialist Group. Register to participate and to get access interpretation in English, French and Spanish and Watch the livestream!
To mark the World Wildlife Day 2026, the CITES Secretariat will leverage the expertise, knowledge, and creativity of key stakeholders through collaborative partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Jackson Wild, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw), WILDLABS, the Geneva Environment Network, and other organizations. This event will feature a musical performance with medicinal plants, an expert panel discussion on the 2026 theme, statements from Member States, the announcement of the winner of the International Youth Art Contest, and a trailer premiere of the 2026 Jackson Wild Film Showcase. The World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest and the winners will be presented during the high-level event. Congratulations in advance to the winner of the annual WWD Poster Contest!. On and around March 3rd, many side-events, seminars, workshops and excursions will be held worldwide. For enquiries, please contact wildlifeday@un.org
Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd.
It is no secret that human activity has pushed millions of animal species to the brink. But we pay far less attention to plants, the planet’s unsung architects.
Across the Earth, flora underpin economies, support human health and sustain almost every other form of life. This is particularly true of medicinal and aromatic plants — the theme of this year’s World Wildlife Day.
Therapeutic species are vital to both traditional and modern medicine, supporting the livelihoods of millions and the well-being of many times more. Plants boost biodiversity, stabilize soils and represent centuries of knowledge and stewardship by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
But today, this living heritage is under threat. The climate crisis, habitat destruction, overharvesting and illegal trade are accelerating the decline of thousands of plants, putting incomes and ecologies at risk.
By strengthening global environmental governance through pacts like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, and the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, we can make our planet safer for all living things.
I urge all countries to become gardeners of the global commons. Together, we can ensure that the ecosystems that have healed humanity for millennia sustain us for generations to come.
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.
OTHER STATEMENTS : Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World wildlife Day 2026; march 3rd; the Statement by the World Bank Group GWP Enviroment Director, Mme Valerie Hickey on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd, the Statement of the FAO Director-General; Mr Qu Dongyu on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd, the Statement of the BRS Conventions, Executive secretary, Mr Rolph Payet on World Wildwife Day 2026; March 3rd; the Statement of the ITPGR Secretary; Dr Kent Nnadozie on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd; the Statement by the World Heritage Centre, Director, Mr Lazare, Eloundou Assomo for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement of the UNEP Executive-director, Mme Inger Andersen on World Wildlife Day 2026; March 3rd; the Statement by the CITES Secretary-General, Mme Ivonne Higuero for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the UNDP Policy & Programme, Mme. Francine Pickup for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the Secretary-General of the Convention on Wetlands; Mme. Musonda Mumba for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the Executive Director of the Jackson wild, Christie Quinn For World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the IFAW CEO and President, Mr Azzedine Downes for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the Director General of the IUCN, Mme Grethel Aguilar For World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the TRAFFIC Executive Director Richard Scobet on World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the CBD Executive secretary; Mme Astrid Schomaker for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd; the Statement by the WWF Biodiversity Lead, Mr. Carlos Drews for World Wildlife Day 2026, March 3rd.
AGENDA PROGRAMME
GET INVOLVED!
As we approach 3 March, there are several ways to take part in this year’s global celebration:
Organise and register your satellite celebration activity or event on the World Wildlife Day website and share with the world how you plan to celebrate in your community.
Download, use and share the Official WWD2026 Poster, designed by the Official Poster Contest Winner Ms Hannah Payet, and promote the theme at your event, with a virtual background, or on social media.
Submit your film to the Jackson Wild Film Showcase, deadline extended to 11 February, to share your powerful stories about wildlife and the people conserving it.
Use the WWD2026 Social Media Kit, which contains ready-made social media assets to support your outreach leading up to or on the Day.
Download, use and share the Official WWD2026 Poster, designed by the Official Poster Contest Winner Ms Hannah Payet, and promote the theme at your event, with a virtual background, or on social media.
Submit your film to the Jackson Wild Film Showcase, deadline extended to 11 February, to share your powerful stories about wildlife and the people conserving it.
Use the WWD2026 Social Media Kit, which contains ready-made social media assets to support your outreach leading up to or on the Day.
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