World Wildlife Day 2025 Celebration

About this Event

On 20 December 2013, at its 68^th session, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. This date is also the day of the adoption in Washington of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973, which plays an important role in ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of species listed in the CITES Appendices.

World Wildlife Day 2025 is celebrated under the theme “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet” with the aim to explore how we can work together to finance wildlife conservation more effectively and sustainably and build a resilient future for both people and the planet. The year 2025 will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of CITES.

With more than 1 million species now estimated to be threatened with extinction and the intensifying triple planetary crisis, innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent. Current financial flows have proven insufficient for governments to meet their national biodiversity targets, especially in low-to-middle-income countries where the world’s biodiversity hotspots are located. Though USD 143 billion is currently invested annually in biodiversity conservation, of which 80-85 per cent comes from the public sector, this amount falls significantly short of the estimated USD 824 billion needed each year to adequately protect and restore nature.

Today, innovative wildlife finance solutions are emerging to unlock the power and agility of the finance sector and mainstream nature-positive considerations in the spheres of investment and policy making. Debt-for-Nature swaps have demonstrated the potential to convert national debts into conservation funds, simultaneously conserving critical habitats and alleviating financial burdens on governments. The first Wildlife Conservation Bond has created an opportunity to attract private investment for protecting certain wildlife species and has the potential to be scaled and replicated for other species and ecosystem services.

No single financial mechanism will fill all conservation funding gaps. Therefore, mobilizing financial resources for wildlife at the scale required demands creating enabling conditions, building trust, and applying a collaborative, multi-pronged approach that involves governments, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society, and that considers of the needs and expertise of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and youth.

The annual High-Level World Wildlife Day United Nations celebration this year took place in Geneva. World Wildlife Day 2025 (WWD2025) explored how innovative finance can transform conservation efforts while delivering sustainable development outcomes, aiming to:

• Highlight innovative financial mechanisms for wildlife conservation.
• Showcase success stories and global initiatives in wildlife conservation finance.
• Build synergies among governments, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society organizations.
• Exploring actionable pathways to mobilize the financial resources needed to achieve the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

During this high-level celebration, experts from around the world and International Geneva highlighted innovative financial mechanisms for wildlife conservation and share actionable pathways to mobilize the financial resources for investing in the future of our planet.

This event  featured a musical performance with medicinal plants by Helen Anahita Wilson, Medicinal Plant Music Composer, the announcement of the winner of the 2025 International Youth Art Contest, and a trailer premiere of the 2025 Jackson Wild Film Showcase. It will be followed by a light reception offered by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office of Switzerland.

Speakers

By order of intervention. 

Ivonne HIGUERO

Secretary-General, CITES

H.E. Amb. Mxolisi NKOSI

Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland

H.E. Amb. Eldiyor TOSHMATOV

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

H.E. Amb. Julien THÖNI

Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Achim STEINER

Administrator, UNDP (Video Message)

Grethel AGUILAR

Director General, IUCN (Video Message)

Axel VAN TROTSENBURG

Senior Managing Director, World Bank (Video Message)

Karma TSHERING

Managing Director, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation

Pamela CASTILLO

Director, Marine 30x30, Wildlife Conservation Society

Isobel COHEN

Director of Strategic Partnerships and Impact, Nature Finance

Gwen YU

Global Head, Nature & Biodiversity, J.P. Morgan

Jessica SMITH

Lead, Nature, UNEP Finance Initiative

H.E. Amb. Tovar DA SILVA NUNES

Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations and other organizations in Geneva

H.E. Amb. Francisca MENDEZ ESCOBAR

Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations and other organizations in Geneva

H.E. Amb. Mireille Sarah NZENZE

Permanent Representative of the Gabonese Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland

H.E. Amb. Pratana DISYATAT

Deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Alex ROOD

Communications and Community Management Associate Specialist, WILDLABS

Matt COLLIS

Senior Director, Policy, IFAW

Azzedine DOWNES

President & CEO, IFAW (Video Message)

Christie QUINN

Interim Executive Director, Jackson Wild (Video Message)

Jakob EGGENBERGER

Head, CITES Management Authority of the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Switzerland

Highlights

For a summary of the highlights of the event, you may consult CITES Press Release.

World Wildlife Day 2025

The celebration of World Wildlife Day 2025 in Geneva consists of other important moments to discover and learn more about efforts to conserve and protect wildlife in Geneva. Discover more on our dedicated webpage Celebrating World Wildlife Day in Geneva and Beyond!

Video

Live from Palais des Nations.

Summary

Ivonne HIGUERO | Secretary-General, CITES

• This year marks 50 years since the entry into force of CITES, the global intergovernmental treaty regulating international trade in wild plants and animals. Over the past five decades, CITES has expanded to cover more than 40,000 species, with 185 Parties collaborating to ensure that international wildlife trade remains legal and sustainable.
• The theme for this year, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” highlights the importance of supporting conservation stewards and strengthening financial support for their work. Sustainable financing is essential for protecting biodiversity and ensuring the long-term viability of conservation efforts.
• The current financial flows for biodiversity conservation are far below what is needed. While over 140 billion US dollars are invested annually, this amount is significantly short of the estimated 824 billion US dollars required each year to effectively protect and restore nature, particularly in biodiversity hotspots located in low-to-middle-income countries.
• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has intensified global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Target 19 calls for mobilizing at least 200 billion US dollars annually for biodiversity, while Target 18 aims to eliminate or reform harmful subsidies by at least 500 billion US dollars per year by 2030. These financial commitments are crucial for closing the global biodiversity finance gap.
• The UN Secretary-General has called for an SDG Stimulus package of at least 500 billion US dollars to expand affordable, long-term financing for development, including biodiversity conservation. There has been positive progress, as Parties at the resumed session of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have agreed on a plan to mobilize at least 200 billion US dollars per year by 2030.
• Investing in wildlife conservation is not merely an aspiration but a necessity, as it is essential for building a resilient future for both people and the planet. Financial commitments and international collaboration are critical in ensuring effective conservation and the sustainability of global biodiversity.
• The event welcomes a diverse group of participants, including representatives from CITES Parties, conservation partners, experts, young artists, filmmakers, students, and members of a conservation technology network. The discussions aim to highlight successful financial strategies, identify gaps, and explore solutions for bridging the wildlife conservation finance deficit.

 H.E. Amb. Mxolisi NKOSI | Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland

• Wildlife is a fundamental component of Earth’s ecosystems, playing a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity, regulating natural processes, and supporting human livelihoods. Conservation efforts are not just aspirations but necessities that require collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for both people and the planet.
• Wildlife is an essential part of Earth’s intricate web of life, sustaining ecosystems, regulating natural processes, and supporting biodiversity. It provides crucial services that uphold human livelihoods and contribute to broader conservation goals. Protecting wildlife is directly linked to achieving the strategic vision of CITES for 2030 and accelerating the goals outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• The UN World Wildlife Day serves as a key platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing solutions, and mobilizing resources for biodiversity conservation. Encouraging private sector investment is essential for securing long-term financial support for wildlife conservation efforts.
• South Africa has invested in the World Bank Conservation Bond, commonly known as the Rhino Bond, a groundbreaking five-year, 150-million-dollar sustainable development bond. This initiative aims to protect and increase black rhino populations, with performance-based payments from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) supporting conservation outcomes.
• The Rhino Bond represents an innovative, outcomes-based financial instrument that directs private sector investments into biodiversity conservation. Investors contribute to achieving measurable conservation targets while also supporting employment in rural and underserved regions of South Africa. Black rhinos, as an umbrella species, play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance, benefiting countless other species.
• Beyond direct conservation efforts, biodiversity management and protection must also benefit local communities, particularly those in rural areas. Tourism provides economic opportunities by allowing communities to showcase their culture, food, and way of life while contributing to conservation efforts.
• Sustainable biodiversity economies must actively involve local communities and Indigenous peoples, ensuring their needs and rights are respected and protected. It is essential to strike a balance between conservation goals and community development, preventing the perception that the value of nature is placed above that of human well-being.
• Sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role in balancing food production with environmental preservation. The South African government supports communities through programs like the Land Restitution Program, enabling them to engage in the biodiversity economy by cultivating wildlife and Indigenous crops used for cultural, medicinal, and traditional health purposes.
• Protecting natural resources, including land and water, is vital for promoting biodiversity conservation. The South African government has implemented initiatives like the LandCare Programme, fostering collaboration among various stakeholders to safeguard biodiversity, support community development, and most importantly implement innovative financing solutions for wildlife protection.

H.E. Amb. Eldiyor TOSHMATOV | Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

• Uzbekistan reaffirms its dedication to protecting biodiversity and addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country is actively contributing to global conservation efforts.
• As part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Uzbekistan has launched a large-scale afforestation campaign in the Aral Sea region, covering over 2 million hectares. This initiative is complemented by the Yashil Makon campaign, which involves planting 200 million trees annually, with the goal of increasing green spaces by 30% by 2030. Efforts to expand protected areas have significantly progressed, increasing coverage from 4% to 14% in the past six years, with an ambitious target of reaching 20% by 2030. Additionally, Uzbekistan aims to manage 30% of its territory for conservation purposes.
• A major milestone for global wildlife conservation will take place in Uzbekistan, as the country will host CITES COP 20 in Samarkand from November 24 to December 5, 2025. This event marks the 15th anniversary of the CITES convention and reflects Uzbekistan’s growing leadership in environmental governance.
• Uzbekistan is committed to continuing its efforts on Wildlife protection with a special focus on transboundary cooperation and the protection of migratory species.
• In Central Asia, species have decreased by 35% in the last five decades. This highlights the urgent need to step up efforts in wildlife conservation and invest in solutions that integrate people and the planet.
• The country is further advancing international dialogue by hosting the International Conference on Central Asia in the Face of Global Climate Change in April 2025 in Samarkand and the Eco Expo Central Asia in June 2025 in Tashkent.
• Wildlife conservation is not only an environmental necessity but also a moral obligation for the well-being of all people. Uzbekistan remains fully committed to supporting global conservation efforts, safeguarding nature for future generations, and ensuring a greener and more sustainable future.

H.E. Amb. Julien THÖNI | Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva

• Switzerland is proud to host the CITES Secretariat, and Geneva brings together many actors, the efforts of which combined create powerful synergies for sustainable development. Cooperation and synergies increase the effectiveness of action plans and help protect biological diversity and species survival.
• ​​Switzerland advocates for stronger cooperation between multilateral environmental agreements. Efforts were made to include specific language in the Global Biodiversity Framework, encouraging alignment among different agreements. Incorporating all environmental treaties into global biodiversity reviews enhances the effectiveness of conservation actions and strengthens biological diversity protection.
• World Wildlife Day is a moment to remind us of the deep connection between nature and people, and that nature sustains humans through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the resources we use. Humans are dependent on nature’s services, wildlife, and ecosystems. Conserving nature is therefore crucial for global prosperity and well-being.
• The World Economic Forum reports that over half of the global GDP is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services. Millions of people rely directly on wildlife and ecosystems for their livelihoods, underscoring the critical link between conservation and global economic prosperity.
• Current funding for conservation is inadequate, and public financing alone is insufficient. New and innovative financing solutions are necessary to meet global biodiversity targets and ensure long-term conservation efforts.
• The IPBES report highlights that about one million species are at risk of extinction, with billions of people relying on wild species for food, energy, and medicine. Humanity is witnessing the disappearance of species at an alarming rate, yet global cooperation offers hope for reversing biodiversity loss.
• There is hope to achieve harmony with nature, notably through recent international agreements such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas Treaty.
• Sustainable management of species involved in international trade is essential to preserving biodiversity for future generations. Beyond their aesthetic and ecological value, species play a fundamental role in economic stability and food security. The goal is to achieve a balanced coexistence between humans and the natural world.

Photos

Photos of the event are available on World Wildlife Day Flickr.

Links

• World Wildlife Day Official Website
• World Wildlife Day 2025 | CITES Press Release
• Celebrating World Wildlife Day in Geneva and Beyond