International Day of Forests 2014, March 21

How forests can be managed  profitably and Sustainably in the Future ?
Join the Forum  : International Day of Forests - March 21.

 

United Nations Secretary-General's Message  on the International Day of forest 2014.

Forests are the lungs of our planet. They cover one-third of all land area, and are home to 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity. They are crucial for addressing a multitude of sustainable development imperatives, from poverty eradication to food security, from mitigating and adapting to climate change to reducing disaster risk.
It is estimated that 1.6 billion people depend on forests for food, fuel, shelter and income.  The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 per cent of people rely on medicines derived from forests as their primary form of health care.

Not only do forests provide essential economic safety nets for a significant number of the world’s poor, they underpin economies at all levels. Round wood production, wood processing and the pulp and paper industries account for nearly 1 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product. Non-monetary benefits from forests, such as water, energy, shelter and medicine, are estimated to be two to three times as great. Forested catchments supply three-quarters of freshwater, which is essential for agriculture, industry, energy supply and domestic use. 
The International Day of Forests is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees to our economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being. However awareness must be coupled with concrete action. As we deliberate on the post-2015 development agenda, let us acknowledge the vital role of forests and pledge to work together to protect and sustainably manage these vital ecosystems. 

                                                                                                                                       Ban Ki-moon

United Nations General Assembly President's Message on the International Day of forest 2014.

Celebrated now for two years, the International Day of Forests and the Tree calls on governments and other multi stakeholders to commit to reducing deforestation while promoting sustainable livelihoods for all forest-dependent communities.
Forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass and over 1.6 billion people depend on forest ecosystems for their daily livelihoods.

As we work to create a post 2015 sustainable development agenda, I urge Member States to recognize the ecological, economic, social and health benefits of our forests.
In recent years, global deforestation has spread at an alarming rate. Over 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed each year and deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

This day marks a worldwide commemoration to celebrate our forests and to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our essential global ecosystems.

                                                                                                                                          John W. Ashe

  

                                          The new ways of monitoring and managing our forests - FAO Headquarters, Sheikh Zayed Centre
9:00 - 11:00am

Join us and celebrate the International Day of Forests 2014

° Showing of the International Day of Forests Video
° Opening address by José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General
° Results of FAO’s global remote sensing of forests, Kenneth  MacDicken, FAO Senior Forest Officer
° Highlights of FAO’s forest monitoring work, Eduardo Mansur, FAO Forestry Division Director
° Brief statements by key resource partners
° Closing remarks by Eduardo Rojas, Assistant Director-General, Forestry Department, FAO
° Refreshments

                                                               FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

                                                                                    José Graziano Da Silva, FAO Director-General

Journée internationale des forêts 2014 , Día Internacional de los Bosques 2014, Международный день лесов 2014, 国际森林日 2014,

World Poetry Day 2014, 21 March

UNESCO Director-General's Message on World Poety Day 2014.

Every year, UNESCO celebrates those who give life to poetry as one of the highest forms of linguistic and cultural expression. Poetry is a song of freedom, enabling us to affirm our identity through creation. Poetry is also the song of our deepest feelings; in the words of the Brazilian poet and diplomat João Cabral de Melo Neto, “even unintentionally, every word that comes from emotion is poetry”. Through its words and its rhythm, poetry gives shape to our dreams of peace, justice and dignity, and gives us the strength and desire to mobilize to make them real.
All peoples throughout history have developed and practiced forms of poetry, so as to pass on orally their knowledge, history and myths – the Vedas and Ramayana in India, the Hebrew Bible, the Iliad and the Odyssey in Greece and many other philosophical and religious texts – to express feelings, to talk about daily life, to withstand trials or to entertain. Today, contemporary forms of poetry, from graffiti to slam, enable young people to become engaged in the practice and renew it by opening the door to a new space for creation. The forms evolve, but the poetic impulse remains intact. Shakespeare described poetry as the music that each man carries inside himself and, centuries later, the jazz musician Herbie Hancock, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and 2014 Charles Eliot Norton Professor of Poetry at Harvard University, has recalled the affinities between poetry, literature and music in his lecture on “the wisdom of Miles Davis”.
As a deep expression of the human mind and as a universal art, poetry is a tool for dialogue and rapprochement. The dissemination of poetry helps to promote dialogue among cultures and understanding between peoples because it gives access to the authentic expression of a language. We see this in the inspiration of people celebrating intangible cultural heritage, mother tongues and cultural diversity, where poetry always plays a major role. That is why UNESCO encourages and calls for the support of authors and translators, the craftspeople of poetry, so that we might tap into the essence of beauty and inspiration for peace in their works.

Irina Bokova

• Día Mundial de la Poesía, 21 de marzo
• Всемирный день поэзии, 21 марта
• Journée mondiale de la poésie, 21 mars
• 世界诗歌日, 3月21日 
• اليوم العالمي للشعر

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2014, March 21

Message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO on The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2014.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity for women and men, along with the whole United Nations System, to renew their commitment to building a world of justice, equality and dignity, where racial discrimination has no place.

Racial discrimination violates the inherent rights and dignity of women and men. It holds back entire societies from lasting peace, and it sets obstacles before inclusive, sustainable development. Bigotry impoverishes the world, seeking to divide humanity against itself and undermine the inexhaustible strength that lies in our diversity. Equality and justice must guide us, no matter the circumstances. At this time of deep social transformation and global change, we can draw strength from the experience of the late Nelson Mandela and his determination to bridge divides despite all challenges.

On this day, we must recall that respect of others is essential to respect for ourselves and our own communities and that humanity is a single family, brought together by shared aspirations and a common destiny. Lasting peace can only be built on the equality and dignity of every woman and man -- regardless of ethnic, religious, gender, socioeconomic or other background. 

This cannot be taken for granted. There has been tremendous progress in making real the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – but racial discrimination and hatred, including hate-motivated actions and crimes, remain far too prevalent across the world. These threats are compounded by deepening inequalities, and rising exclusion and marginalisation, which weaken the fabric of societies.

Respect and tolerance are liberating acts, whereby the differences of others are recognized as the same as our own and whereby the riches of another culture are taken as the wealth of all.

This needs to be taught, because education remains the most powerful way to prevent racism and uproot discrimination. This is why UNESCO is advancing human rights education across the world, and developing new forms of education for global citizenship. In the classroom and outside, we need to start early, in teaching the values of respect, tolerance and solidarity -- by promoting sports and youth engagement, by safeguarding the common history of humanity, including the history of slavery and places of memory, and by fostering new alliances to challenge discrimination wherever it takes root.

UNESCO is acting all of these levels, through the Slave Route Project, through the safeguarding of cultural heritage of universal significance, as well as through such initiatives as the International Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discrimination.

The fight against discrimination is one we must all lead, everyday, through our own actions – but, together, we can multiply our efforts to build a more just, equal world of dignity for all women and men. This is UNESCO’s message on the 2014 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

© UNESCO / Natacha Vasilenco

Organized jointly with the French Federation of UNESCO Clubs (FFCU), this day will aim at fostering discussion about how to fight against discrimination whilst respecting the individual identity of each and everyone among us.

Discrimination occurs on several grounds – race, ethnical origin, gender, class, age, sexual orientation, etc. – and often different forms of discrimination can take place at the same time. This means that every individual has a different experience of discrimination and therefore a different manner in which she or he expresses her or his identity in society. Boys and girls will have different experiences because of their gender, but there will also be differences based on other criteria.

So how are we to fight against these multiple types of discrimination? How are we to find, in these different and individual characteristics, signs of equality and recognition of the right to dignity of everyone?

Details

Type of Event	Category 3- Non-governmental conference
Start	21.03.2014 09:30 local time
End	21.03.2014 17:00 local time
Focal point	Scarone Azzi, Marcello
Organizer	UNESCO
Contact	Marcello Scarone Azzi, m.scarone@unesco.org
Country	France
City	Paris
Venue	UNESCO Headquarters
Street	7, Place de Fontenoy
Room	Room XI
Language of Event	French
Estimated number of participants	250
Link 1	Programme (PDF in French)
Link 2	Message from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the Day
Link 3	UNESCO and the Fight against Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia
Link 4	Learning to Live Together

International Day of Happiness 2014, 20 March

 Calculate your score on the Happy Planet Index!
Join the Forum of discussions : 20 March is International Day of Happiness.

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for International Day of Happiness 2014  2014

The twin concepts of happiness and well-being increasingly feature in international discussions of sustainable development and the future we want. 
Many countries are going beyond the rhetoric of quality of life to incorporate practical measures to promote these concepts in their legislation and policy-making.  These good practices can inspire other countries so that measuring and accounting for broader well-being, and not simply national income, becomes a universal practice.
Happiness may have different meanings for different people.  But we can all agree that it means working to end conflict, poverty and other unfortunate conditions in which so many of our fellow human beings live.
Happiness is neither a frivolity nor a luxury.  It is a deep-seated yearning shared by all members of the human family.  It should be denied to no-one and available to all.  This aspiration is implicit in the pledge of the United Nations Charter to promote peace, justice, human rights, social progress and improved standards of life.
Now is the time to convert this promise into concrete international and national action to eradicate poverty, promote social inclusion and inter-cultural harmony, ensure decent livelihoods, protect the environment and build institutions for good governance.  These are the foundations for human happiness and well-being.

 

• Día Internacional de la Felicidad, 20 de marzo

• Международный день счастья , 20 марта

• Journée internationale du bonheur, 20 mars

• 国际幸福日, 3月20日

• Día Internacional de la Felicidad, 20 de marzo

• السعي لنيل السعادة هو هدف إنساني أساسي

Watch the Happy Planet Index

 Watch an introduction to the Happy Planet Index – the leading global measure of sustainable well-being – by its creator, Nic Marks.

  
How is the HPI calculated?

The HPI blends subjective and objective data to build a picture of progress within a country. The Index uses global data on
life expectancy, experienced well-being and Ecological Footprint to rank countries. It asks the question: “how much well-being is achieved per unit of resource consumption?”

Happy Planet Index ≈ 

Experienced well-being x Life expectancy
---------------------------------------------
Ecological Footprint

• Well-being : If you want to know how well someone’s life is going, your best bet is to ask them directly. In this year’s HPI, experienced well-being is assessed using a question called the ‘Ladder of Life’ from the Gallup World Poll. This asks respondents to imagine a ladder, where 0 represents the worst possible life and 10 the best possible life, and report the step of the ladder they feel they currently stand on.
Evidence indicates that this is an effective measure of overall well-being.

• Life expectancy : Alongside experienced well-being, the HPI includes a universally important measure of health – life expectancy. We used life expectancy data from the 2011 UNDP Human Development
Report.

• Ecological Footprint : A society that achieves high well-being now, but consumes so much that the same resources are not available for future generations can hardly be considered successful. The HPI uses the Ecological Footprint promoted by the environmental NGO WWF as a measure of resource consumption.
It is a per capita measure of the amount of land required to sustain a country’s consumption patterns, measured in terms of global hectares (g ha) which represent a hectare of land with average productive biocapacity

The Happy Planet Index (HPI) is the leading global measure of sustainable well-being.

 The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index : Tracking and improving citizens’ well-being.

International Women's Day 2014, March 8

 Celebrated annually on 8 March, the 2014 theme for International Women’s Day is: “Equality for women is progress for all”.

Join the Forum : International Women's Day - March 8.

Secretary-General Says in Message for Women’s Day ‘Equality Is Not a Dream,

 But a Duty of Governments, the United Nations, and Every Human Being’

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for International Women’s Day, 8 March:

This International Women’s Day, we are highlighting the importance of achieving equality for women and girls not simply because it is a matter of fairness and fundamental human rights, but because progress in so many other areas depends on it.

Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth.  Companies with more women leaders perform better.  Peace agreements that include women are more durable.  Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support.

The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all.

This simple truth must be central as we work to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals by next year’s deadline and craft an agenda for the years beyond 2015. 

Important gains have been made in access to primary education for girls and political representation by women.  But progress remains far too slow and uneven.

A baby girl born today will still face inequality and discrimination, no matter where her mother lives.  We have a common obligation to ensure her right to live free from the violence that affects one in three women globally; to earn equal pay for equal work; to be free of the discrimination that prevents her from participating in the economy; to have an equal say in the decisions that affect her life; and to decide if and when she will have children, and how many she will have.

I have a message for every girl born today, and to every woman and girl on the planet: realizing human rights and equality is not a dream, it is a duty of Governments, the United Nations and every human being.

I also have a message for my fellow men and boys: play your part.  All of us benefit when women and girls — your mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues — can reach their full potential.

Together, let us work for women’s rights, empowerment and gender equality as we strive to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development.  Equality for women is progress for all!

Ban Ki-moon.

International Women's Day 2014 : The UN Refugee Agency

UNHCR pledges to advance gender equality programme 

 Guterres said this year's theme "recognizes that we do not live in a world in which all women and girls are treated equally and without discrimination. As we all too often see in our daily work, forced displacement exacerbates the risks that women and girls face."
The High Commissioner also highlighted some important UNHCR programmes that will impact positively on the situation for displaced women and girls.

 

The World Bank Goup : International Women's Day 2014

 
H.E. Mr. Jim Yong Kim's of the The World Bank Group

3 Blind Spots for Gender Equity: Work, Education, and Violence

Sharing Experiences and Insights to Enhance Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa

On February 27, a high-level regional workshop kicked off in Lomé, Togo, with the participation of Ministers of gender affairs and officials from 11 economies from West and Central Africa focusing on the World Bank Group’s Women, Business and the Law 2014: Removing Restrictions to Enhance Gender Equality report. A welcome dinner prior to the official opening of the event revealed the dynamic nature of gender affairs Ministers – all women – and the common realities and issues facing their nations. Most were meeting for the first time in a unique experience that enabled sharing stories and views about laws, cultural norms and traditional roles within the family in prelude to the official discussions.

International Labour Organization (ILO) : International Women’s Day 2014.
"Women at work – where we are, where we want to be"

To mark International Women’s Day 2014, the ILO reflects on the progress that has been made and what still needs to be done to achieve gender equality in the workplace. Follow two women, an Indian CEO and a US school teacher, whose experiences shed an interesting light on the common challenges facing women across the globe.

United Nations Population Fund : Statements by UNFPA Executive Director General Babatunde Ostimehin.

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin - See more at: http://www.unfpa.org/public/cache/offonce/home/news/pid/16834;jsessionid=DA3AB23FE7F4400950F4B5D035AFC416.jahia01#sthash.PaRxPiA8.dpuf

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin - See more at: http://www.unfpa.org/public/cache/offonce/home/news/pid/16834;jsessionid=DA3AB23FE7F4400950F4B5D035AFC416.jahia01#sthash.PaRxPiA8.dpuf

 International Women’s Day: Progress for Women and Girls is Progress for All

As we commemorate International Women’s Day and celebrate the many achievements of women and girls, we should also remember that for far too many, the ability to live a healthy, productive life free from violence, to fully enjoy their rights, remains an aspiration.

Message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova on the occasion of International Women's Day 2014 :

 English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese. 

The fifty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 - 21 March 2014.

 

International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

1908
Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

1909
In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman's Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913.

1910
n 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named a Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was the result.

1911
Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic 'Triangle Fire' in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women's Day events. 1911 also saw women's 'Bread and Roses' campaign.

1913-1914
On the eve of World War I campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women's Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In 1913 following discussions, International Women's Day was transferred to 8 March and this day has remained the global date for International Women's Day ever since. In 1914 further women across Europe held rallies to campaign against the war and to express women's solidarity.

1917
On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for "bread and peace" in response to the death over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Opposed by political leaders the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women's strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was 8 March.

1918 - 1999
Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as 'International Women's Year' by the United Nations. Women's organisations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women's advancement and while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.

2000 and beyond
IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD by running their own internal events and through supporting external ones. For example, on 8 March search engine and media giant Google some years even changes its logo on its global search pages. Year on year IWD is certainly increasing in status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as 'Women's History Month'.

So make a difference, think globally and act locally !! Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

A global hub for sharing International Women's Day news, events and resources

    Not showing a country? Be the first to add an event.

 

World Wildlife Day 2014, March 3

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

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

“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

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

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

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

"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

World Trade Organization (WTO)

“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

International Trade Centre (ITC)

“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

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

“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

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

“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

Monterey Bay Aquarium

“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 

International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)

“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

United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

“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

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

“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

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

“IMO firmly believes in the importance of raising awareness of the multitude of benefits that wildlife provides to people and World Wildlife Day 2014 provides an ideal opportunity to this end. In this connection, I would like to highlight that IMO has adopted key environmental treaties and codes of practice to protect marine ecosystems and wildlife from operational discharges from ships, and from accidental marine pollution. Furthermore, IMO has implemented ships routeing measures and developed guidance documents to reduce vessel strikes with cetaceans. IMO has also designated a large number of marine areas, such as Special Areas under MARPOL that include special mandatory discharge standards, as well as fourteen Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas. These areas enjoy special protection through action by IMO because of their significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons, and for their vulnerability to damage by international maritime activities.”
Koji Sekimizu, Secretary-General

اليوم العالمي للأحياء البرية

Journée mondiale de la vie sauvage

Всемирный день дикой природы,

世界野生物日

World Wildlife Day

Día Mundial de la Vida Silvestre

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: Message for Year of Crystallography

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Message for Year of Crystallography

20 January 2014

VIENNA, 20 January (United Nations Information Service) - This year marks the centenary of the birth of modern crystallography. We celebrate 100 years of ground-breaking advances.
Crystallography is fundamental to understanding the structure of matter.
It is critical for materials science, health care, agriculture and biotechnology.
Today, crystallography is at the core of structural sciences, revealing the constitution of minerals and the molecules of life, helping scientists to design new-generation materials and life-saving medicine.
In recognition of these important contributions, the United Nations General Assembly designated 2014 as the International Year of Crystallography. The goal is to raise awareness about the power of crystals, deepen cooperation and create new partnerships across the globe.
Crystallography has an important place as we work for inclusive sustainable development -- policies that are good for people and the planet.
I thank UNESCO, along with the International Union of Crystallography and all other partners.
Thank you for working to help societies harness the full power of sciences for sustainable development. Let us make the Year a great success!

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Join the forum  2014 as the International Year of Crystallography