Celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.
Join the
Forum on World Wildlife Day - March 3
United Nations Secretary-General's Message
For millennia, people and cultures have relied on nature’s rich
diversity of wild plants and animals for food, clothing, medicine and
spiritual sustenance. Wildlife remains integral to our future through
its essential role in science, technology and recreation, as well as
its place in our continued heritage. That is why the United Nations
General Assembly proclaimed 3 March – the anniversary of the adoption of
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES) – as World Wildlife Day.
Despite its intrinsic value to sustainable development and human well-being, wildlife is under threat. Some of the
world’s
most charismatic species, as well as lesser-known but ecologically
important plants and animals, are in immediate danger of extinction. A
major cause is habitat loss. Another is the increase in illicit
trafficking.
The environmental, economic and social consequences of wildlife
crime are profound. Of particular concern are the implications of
illicit trafficking for peace and security in a number of countries
where organized crime, insurgency and terrorism are often closely
linked.
While the threats to wildlife are great, we can reduce them
through our collective efforts. On this inaugural World Wildlife Day, I
urge all sectors of society to end illegal wildlife trafficking and
commit to trading and using wild plants and animals sustainably and
equitably.
Let us work for a future where people and wildlife coexist in harmony. Let’s go wild for wildlife!
Ban ki-moon - United Nations Secretary General
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Wildlife now has its own special day on
the United Nations calendar. On the 3rd of March we will for the first
time ever celebrate World Wildlife Day.
The 3rd of March is the
opportunity for all of us - no matter who we are or where we are - to
celebrate the beauty and variety of the millions of plants and animals
that we share our planet with.
While we cherish wildlife in its
own right we should not forget that it also contributes to our personal
well-being - from food to medicine – from culture to recreation.
But
today our wildlife is suffering from habitat loss as well as a grave
threat from illegal trade, which is worth many billions of dollars every
year. This illegal trade is now threatening the survival of some of our
most charismatic species, as well as some plants and animals you may
never have heard of.
So as we are celebrating wildlife let’s do
whatever we can - as citizens and as consumers - to bring this illegal
trade to an end. Let’s work for a future where people and wildlife
coexist in harmony.
By working together we can do this - and in doing so secure the future for wild plants and animals as well as for ourselves.
On this special day let's reconnect with our planet's wild side - let's go wild for wildlife!
John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES
“FAO
associates itself with enthusiasm with the celebration of the World
Wildlife Day which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in
recognition of the value of wildlife and its various contributions to
sustainable development and human well-being. Whilst dramatic trends in
criminal hunting and trade are threatening emblematic species to the
verge of extinction, requiring immediate, prompt and decisive action,
concerted and efficient efforts are also needed to sustainably manage
wildlife so as to provide ecological, social, economic and cultural
contributions to human development, food security, and wellbeing. FAO
looks forward to working with countries and partners, including the
Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), to
more effectively address the needs in this area, paying special
attention to sustainably improving the livelihoods of poor rural
communities and the conservation of their natural resources.”
Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director-General
International
World Wildlife Day should be a day for a celebration by people
everywhere of this planet’s rich diversity in flora and fauna. Across
plains, and in oceans and forests, this world teems with life in all its
infinite varieties.
Animal and plant life are a source of shared
wonder, but we confront failure in our stewardship of this planet’s
diversity. Wildlife and environmental crimes, in all their harrowing
forms, are destroying this heritage.
Elephants, rhinos, tigers and
other wildlife, are being slaughtered for their ivory, skins and for
their bones. The killing of animals is a crime without sense. It is
fuelling new crimes, including terrorism and other forms of trafficking,
as well as devastating the economies of countries; many of whom rely on
their biodiversity for tourism.
Yury Fedotov
Executive Director
UN Office on Drugs and Crime
"I
wish to express my strong support for the World Wildlife Day, the first
of which is to be celebrated on 3 March 2014, 41 years to the day the
CITES treaty was adopted. It presents a unique opportunity to remember
and celebrate the world's diversity and multitude of flora and fauna,
strengthen conservation of plants and animals in the wild which are key
to the survival of life on earth, and ensure sustainable and legal trade
that is non-detrimental to the species, and enhances livelihoods and
incomes. At a time when the earth's natural resources are being
exploited at an accelerated pace to meet the needs of burgeoning
populations and consumer demands, the World Wildlife Day and CITES will
help us to focus more on sustainable practices by communities,
governments and enterprises in our ultimate quest for development."
Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD
“As
Director-General of the WTO I am proud to support World Wildlife Day.
Ensuring that economic growth and development can take place without
damaging the environment is one of the great challenges of our time –
and the WTO has an important role to play. WTO rules seek to achieve a
crucial balance, fostering trade as a means to promote growth and
development, while also supporting the right of WTO Members to take
appropriate measures to protect the environment. We will continue this
work in the years ahead and look forward to marking the day.”
Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General
“The
International Trade Centre (ITC) commends the United Nations General
Assembly for the designation of World Wildlife Day on 3 March. This is a
day that celebrates the beauty of nature and biodiversity in its myriad
forms.We join the CITES Secretariat and the rest of the world in
celebrating this very first World Wildlife Day and pledge our support to
continuing our efforts to conserve and protect the world’s
wildlife..." Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director
“IUCN
is delighted to join in the global celebrations of the inaugural World
Wildlife Day on 3 March 2014 declared by the United Nations General
Assembly.
World Wildlife Day gives us a chance to highlight the
breathtaking diversity of our planet’s animal and plant species and how
their continued survival in the wild is intimately linked to ours.
IUCN,
with its deep connection to CITES, has been working on conservation and
sustainable use of wildlife for over 60 years, in particular through
the 8,500 members of the IUCN Species Survival Commission — bringing the
top species conservation expertise to support CITES, IUCN and the
conservation community worldwide..." Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General
“The
world community of zoos and aquariums is delighted to support the World
Wildlife Day, initiated by CITES and endorsed by the UN General
Assembly. This important initiative will highlight the intrinsic value
of living creatures, their beauty and ultimately their importance for
human beings – hopefully resulting in better protection”.
Gerald Dick, Executive Director
“We
are delighted to share with you some words from Ms Julie Packard,
Executive Director of Monterey Bay Aquarium and daughter of
Hewlett-Packard (HP) co-founder David Packard on World Wildlife Day:
"For 30 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has connected people with ocean
wildlife as a way to inspire them to care more – and do more – to
protect the oceans. Our survival depends on protecting healthy
ecosystems on which people and wildlife depend. Designation of World
Wildlife Day is a powerful new way to remind all people how much we rely
on the natural world.
Find more about the conservation and
research work of Monterey Bay Aquarium on great white sharks, bluefin
tuna and southern sea otters:
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/research.aspx.”
Julie Packard, Executive Director
daughter of Hewlett-Packard (HP)
co-founder David Packard
“On
the occasion of the first World Wildlife Day, the International
Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) wishes to place on the record its
congratulations on the anniversary of the founding of CITES and its
ongoing support for the goals of CITES as embodied in the World Wildlife
Day. ITTO and CITES have been working together for the past decade to
improve the management of tropical tree species listed in the CITES
Appendices. We will continue this important partnership to ensure that
these species are sustainably managed and traded consistent with the
regulations of CITES and the goals of ITTO. Once again, congratulations
to our CITES friends - we look forward to being able to report many more
successes from our joint work on tropical tree species on future World
Wildlife Days.” Emmanuel Ze Meka, Executive Director
“As
Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, also home of
the late Wangari Maathai and just minutes and hours away from some of
the world’s richest and diverse wildlife which underpins a big part of
East Africa’s economy, I welcome the opportunity to recognize the 1st
World Wildlife Day as an important platform in the promotion of global
action for the protection and conservation of our wildlife.” Sahle-Work Zewde, Director-General, United Nations Under-Secretary-General
“Congratulations on the establishment of the World Wildlife Day.
Many
of the world's most majestic endangered species can be found in the
drylands, where their habitats are shrinking due to the pressures of
development, climate change and desertification. In addition to these
severe threats, the survival of dryland range animals like elephants and
rhinos is also threatened by poaching. Holistic policies that protect
wildlife as an important part of dryland ecosystems are urgently needed
to save endangered species from extinction.” Monique Barbut, Executive Secretary
