12 Jan 2014

The 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly has decided to proclaim March 3, the day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as World Wildlife Day.

A press release from the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism stated that the day was intended to celebrate and raise awareness about the world’s wild fauna and flora.

In its resolution, the General Assembly reaffirmed the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions, including ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic to sustainable development and human well-being.

It also recognised the important role of CITES in ensuring that international trade did not threaten the species’ survival. It said the General Assembly requested the CITES secretariat, in collaboration with relevant organisations of the UN system to facilitate the implementation of World Wildlife Day.

“CITES secretary general  Mr John Scanlon, said World Wildlife Day would be an ideal opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people.

The day, he said, was a reminder of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts,” it said. The release further said Mr Scanlon invited all member states, relevant organisations of the UN system as well as all other interested organisations and individuals from airports, museums and schools to get involved in the global celebration of wildlife.

It said the CITES secretariat had created a dedicated World Wildlife Day Facebook page to share news and stories of the day, which could be followed at https://www.facebook.com/WorldWildlifeDay.  ENDS