World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated annually on March 3rd. It was established by the United Nations in 2013 to commemorate the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973.

In 2025, the theme of the day is "Funding for Wildlife Conservation: Investments in People and the Planet." This theme addresses how we can work together to make our current, insufficient financial flows more effective and sustainable in order to build a viable future for people and the planet.

This day reminds the world of the need to protect biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the role of wildlife in ecosystems. It also emphasizes the importance of traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples whose way of life is closely connected to natural ecosystems.

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In the face of rapid climate change and increased human pressure on nature, the significance of World Wildlife Day goes far beyond an environmental celebration. This day allows the international community to focus on key aspects of nature conservation:

1. Biodiversity Conservation

• According to the UN, about 1 million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction. The causes include habitat destruction, climate change, poaching, and environmental pollution.
• World Wildlife Day contributes to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14 ("Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources") and Goal 15 ("Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems").

1. Fighting Illegal Wildlife Trade

• The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth $7-$23 billion annually. It is one of the largest forms of organized crime, alongside arms and drug trafficking.
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in more than 38,000 species of animals and plants, preventing their extinction due to commercial exploitation.

1. Developing Sustainable Ecosystems

• The UN and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) emphasize that sustainable management of natural resources is crucial for the preservation of ecosystems.
• Sustainable tourism, ecosystem services, and the restoration of degraded lands are key areas for the development of conservation strategies.

1. Recognizing the Role of Indigenous Peoples

• Indigenous peoples have traditionally interacted with nature, using sustainable agricultural methods.
• About 80% of the remaining wild ecosystems on Earth are located on lands managed by indigenous peoples. Their traditional knowledge is increasingly being recognized in environmental protection efforts.

At the level of individual countries and regions, World Wildlife Day helps develop and implement conservation strategies aimed at protecting rare species and restoring ecosystems.

Russia

• Russia has more than 12,000 protected natural areas, including reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Special attention is paid to the protection of the Amur tiger, Far Eastern leopard, snow leopard, and other rare species.

United States

• The Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulates the protection of more than 1,600 species of plants and animals.
• Active efforts are underway to restore populations of wolves, bald eagles, and other species once at risk.

European Union

• EU directives on birds and habitats regulate the conservation of key ecosystems.
• The European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to expand protected areas and restore degraded lands.

Africa

• There is active work to combat poaching and the illegal trade of elephant ivory and rhino horns.
• Programs funded by international organizations are working to restore populations of African elephants and lions.

Asia

• India has one of the world’s largest tiger conservation programs (Project Tiger).
• China and Southeast Asian countries are working to reduce wildlife trade, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indigenous peoples have lived in harmony with nature for centuries, developing sustainable land management practices. Today, their traditional knowledge and practices have become an important part of conservation programs.

1. Ecological Land Management

• Indigenous peoples manage about 25% of the Earth’s land, which constitutes more than 35% of the world’s protected natural areas.
• In Brazil, Canada, and Australia, indigenous peoples are involved in the management of national parks.

1. Traditional Knowledge

• Agroforestry methods and traditional fishing practices help preserve ecosystems.
• In the Arctic, indigenous peoples monitor marine animal populations, preventing overfishing.

1. Recognition of Land Rights

• In recent years, there has been a growing effort to protect the land rights of indigenous peoples to manage their traditional territories.
• Successful initiatives include the creation of Indigenous reserves in the Amazon and joint management of national parks in Canada.

World Wildlife Day is not just an environmental date but a key tool for international cooperation in nature conservation. It reminds us of the need to preserve biodiversity, combat illegal wildlife trade, and protect the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples.

In 2025, the Cali Fund was announced — a new financial mechanism created under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to mobilize funds for biodiversity conservation.

The main goal of the fund is to attract new funding sources to implement the three key objectives of the CBD: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair distribution of benefits from the use of genetic resources. Special attention will be given to the fair distribution of benefits from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources.

The Cali Fund will receive contributions from private companies that use genetic data from nature for commercial purposes, such as producing weight-loss drugs or cosmetics. At least 50% of the funds collected will be directed to support indigenous peoples and local communities, recognizing their role in the conservation and preservation of biodiversity.

The fund will be managed in partnership with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It will become an important tool in achieving the goals set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.