Environment

World Wildlife Day 2023: Celebrating Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation

On March 3, the world comes together to celebrate World Wildlife Day, an annual event that honors the world’s wild animals and plants and raises awareness about the importance of their conservation. This year’s theme is “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation,” highlighting the critical role of partnerships in preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species.

The Origins of World Wildlife Day

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3 as World Wildlife Day in 2013, coinciding with the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. CITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Since its inception, World Wildlife Day has become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife. This year’s celebration is particularly special, as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of CITES.

The Importance of Partnerships

Partnerships are critical for the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. As the world faces an accelerating global biodiversity crisis, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction, it is more important than ever to work together to protect our planet’s natural resources.

Partnerships can operate on large scale, involving international organizations and governments, or on smaller scale, involving individuals and local communities. Some partnerships involve the private sector, which has historically been seen as exploitative and unsustainable. However, successful partnerships for conservation must find ways to include business if we are to reverse the loss of biodiversity.

Celebrating the Many Benefits of Wildlife

Billions of people, in both developed and developing nations, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food, energy, materials, medicine, recreation, inspiration, and many other vital contributions to human well-being. The conservation of wildlife and biodiversity provides numerous benefits to people, and World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness of these benefits.

At the same time, World Wildlife Day also serves as a reminder of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental, and social impacts. Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss, emphasizing the importance of protecting our planet’s natural resources.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been instrumental in promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation over the past 50 years. CITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Through the years, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES, bringing together governments, UN agencies, private sector organizations, philanthropies, and non-governmental organizations to work towards conservation, the sustainable use of wildlife, and the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife.

As we mark World Wildlife Day, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant role that partnerships play in conserving biodiversity and safeguarding endangered species. It’s imperative that we unite in our commitment to changing our relationship with nature and securing our planet's natural resources for future generations.

 

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