PURPOSE: World Wildlife Day observed on 3 March, is 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. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and modification caused by human-led activities (i.e., industrial and residential development, logging, crop farming, livestock grazing, mining, road and dam building, and pesticide use) have taken an extreme toll on threatened and endangered wildlife populations at an alarming rate At the same time, the day also reminds us the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
FORUM: “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.'' World Wildlife Day 2024. For this occasion, we are exploring digital innovation and highlighting how digital conservation technologies and services can drive wildlife conservation, sustainable and legal wildlife trade and human-wildlife coexistence, now and for future generations in an increasingly connected world. We are in the midst of a global digital revolution that is breaking down barriers to people-centered digital governance and to equal opportunities for all to unleash the power of digital transformation. The ‘digital divide’ is slowly narrowing, with better connectivity and Internet access reaching 66 per cent of our global population. However, around 2.7 billion people of our global population are still not online. On average, only 36 % of the populations in the least developed countries and landlocked developing countries are online. Women and young people are more likely to experience gaps in Internet access and/or job-ready digital skills. Technological innovation has made research, communication, tracking, DNA analysis and many other aspects of wildlife conservation easier, more efficient and accurate. Yet, uneven access to these new tools, environmental pollution and unsustainable applications of certain technologies remain critical issues for achieving universal digital inclusion by 2030. How are you Connecting People And Planet for the WWD2024?; What Digital Innovation in wildlife conservation inspires you or sparks your curiosity?; What kind of Technology For Wildlife have you (or someone you know) using?. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #TechForWildlife, #3March, #WorldWildlifeDay; #Partnershipsforconservation, #ConnectingPeopleAndPlanet, #DigitalInnovation, #WWD2024.
EVENTS: While WWD2024 will be celebrated on March 3rd, 2024 and the high-level event will take place on March 4th 2024 at UNHQ in New York, NY, United States of America. This year, the CITES Secretariat has teamed up with the United Nations Development Programme, WILDLABS, Jackson Wild (host of the World Wildlife Day Showcase and the WILDLABS Awards 2024) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) (host of the World Wildlife Day Youth Art Contest). The World Wildlife Day 2024 represents a platform for inter-generational exchange and youth empowerment through art, presentations and conversations on the opportunities ahead for our shared sustainable future in digital wildlife conservation. WWD2024 offers a jumping off point for exploring what digital innovations are available now, what intersectional discrepancies we are facing and how we want our digital connectivity to evolve for all people and planet. Get the World Wildlife Day 2024 Agenda Programme and watch the livestream on United Nations WebTV. On and around March 3rd, many side-events, seminars, workshops and excursions will be held worldwide to celebrate the World Wildlife Day 2024. Explore the map of WWD2024 celebrations around the world.
STATEMENT : Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World wildlife Day 2024; march 3rd.
PODCASTS: All conversations will be inspired by and seek to inform efforts towards the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero hunger) SDG 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Spread the word, especially to children and youth. They are the future leaders of wildlife conservation and they deserve a future where we humans, live in harmony with wildlife that share the planet with us. Here are some outreach materials and social media kit. Get the communication materials?
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
World Wildlife Day is for connecting people with the natural world and inspiring continued learning and action for animals and plants beyond the day.
Let us commit to preserve our invaluable and irreplaceable wildlife for the benefit and delight of current and future generations. On March 3rd every year; We raise awareness of the status of the world’s endangered and critically endangered species, we highlight the key role they play for their ecosystems and for the well-being of communities who live near them and beyond, and we focus on the need to continue all efforts to conserve them and their habitats.
GET INVOLVED!
.Get to know the species that face the most urgent threats in your area and how and you and your community can help conserve them or support ongoing initiatives to do so.
Call on people and institutions around you to step up all efforts to conserve vulnerable species near you and around the world.
Organize a virtual discussion; A film festival; An art show; A talk show; or a presentation to friends.
Explore the other ways to Learn how to get involved
PARTNERSHIPS
The World Wildlife Day is organized by the CITES Secretariat, The UN Environment Programme, the IUCN, the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC), World Wildlife Fund, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, World Organisation for Animal Health; the IPBES, Conservation International, Birdlife International, the Russian Geographical Society, the British wildlife Centre, the United Nations Development Programme, WILDLABS, Jackson Wild (host of the World Wildlife Day Showcase) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)…
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Helping sick, injured and orphaned native animals; With your support we can provide better wildlife education, rescue and care for more animals and save more lives.