World Wildlife Day raises awareness of benefits that conservation provides to humans and reminds society of the need to accelerate efforts to fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species.
Humans rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet needs - from food, to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. To enjoy the benefits and the beauty that nature brings us and the planet, people have been working together to make sure ecosystems are able to thrive, and plant and animal species are able to exist for future generations.
In 2025, World Wildlife Day will be celebrated under the theme of "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet." The year 2025 will also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Investing in wildlife is not an aspiration, it is a necessity. It is a collective responsibility towards a resilient future for both people and the planet. From the highland steppe to the coral reefs, wild animals and plants hold intrinsic value as part of the intricate web of life on Earth, sustaining ecosystems, regulating natural processes and supporting biodiversity.
Wildlife provides essential services that support human livelihoods and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Forests alone contain 60,000 different tree species, 80% of the world’s amphibian species, and 75% of the world’s bird species, while providing over 1.6 billion people with natural capital in the form of food (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), medicine (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being), income (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth), and more.
.
With more than 1 million species estimated to be threatened with extinction, innovative finance for wildlife conservation has never been more urgent. Over half of the world’s gross domestic product is dependent on nature.
World Wildlife Day 2025 will serve as a platform for exchange and exploration of innovative financial solutions for wildlife conservation. It will showcase financial innovations, the challenges faced by civil society, governments, organisations, the private sector, and the collaborative approaches needed to ensure sustainable funding for biodiversity.
“Wildlife conservation finance is more than a tool - it is a commitment. A commitment to the planet, to its wild animals and plants, and to a shared future where nature and humanity thrive together”. - Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General
World Wildlife Day Poster 1 (1.02 MB)
