World Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 3 by the United Nations. The main objective of this international day is to celebrate and raise awareness of world’s wild flora and fauna.
World Wildlife Day commemorates the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. The theme for 2023 for World Wildlife Day is "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation".
3 March 2023 is also a very special date because because this year CITES is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was adopted on March 3, 1973. Under this multilateral treaty, an agreement was written to limit the amount of rare animals and plants traded across the world.
The main objective of CITES is to make sure trade didn't lead to making animals and plants endangered or extinct.
CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
About World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day is a celebration of our wild animals and plants. One in eight of all wildlife species is threatened with extinction .Animal populations are declining at unprecedented rates. It is a global crisis.
In 2013 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had proclaimed 3 March as UN World Wildlife Day.
Why March 3
3 March is the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP (The United Nations Environment Programme) and is located at Geneva, Switzerland.
In accordance with this convention, UN agencies, private sector organizations, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife.
Key Takeaways
- United Nations organises World Wildlife Day.
- World Wildlife Day takes place every year on 3 March. This year, the theme is “Partnerships for wildlife conservation ". This year’s theme will provide the opportunity to honour the people who are making a difference.
- In 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species was signed. It is a multilateral treaty.
- 3 March 2023 is also a very special date because because this year CITES is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
- Today, this Convention grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37,000 species of animals and plants
