World Wildlife Day | 3 March
Background
On 20 December 2013, the Sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assemblydecidedto proclaim 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The date is the day of the adoption of theConvention 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 species’ survival.
Previously, 3 March had been designated as World Wildlife Day in aresolutionmade at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) held in Bangkok from 3 to 14 March 2013. The CITES resolution was sponsored by the Kingdom of Thailand, the Host of CITES CoP16, which transmitted the outcomes of CITES CoP16 to the UN General Assembly.
The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in collaboration with other relevant United Nations organizations, facilitates the implementation of World Wildlife Day.
With 183 Member States,CITESremains one of the world's most powerful tools for biodiversity conservation through the regulation of trade in wild fauna and flora.
International Day of Forests | 21 March
Celebrating forests and foods
In 2025, forests and foods is the theme for the day, celebrating the crucial roles of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods.In addition to providing food, fuel, income and employment, forests support soil fertility, protect water resources, and offer habitats for biodiversity, including vital pollinators.They are essential for the survival of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon.
FAO is also proudly celebrating its80th anniversary in 2025and FAO International Day of Forests events will mark thisoccasion by showcasing actions and best practices that promote a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food future.
Be part of the Plan
As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few.
This involves respecting, protecting, and repairing our biological wealth.
In December 2022, the world came together and agreed on a global plan to transform our relationship with nature. The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also known as The Biodiversity Plan, sets goals and concrete measures to stop and reverse the loss of nature by 2050.
This year, the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity is“Be part of the Plan”.This is a call to action to encourage governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, businesses, and individuals to highlight the ways in which they are supporting the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan.Everyone has a roleto play and therefore can be #PartOfThePlan.
That is the main message from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the key international instrument for sustainable development.
It’s #WorldRainforestDay! 🌍
Rainforests are vital to global climate, biodiversity, human health, daily life, and so
much more. Our future depends on standing forests and their guardians.
Today and everyday, we celebrate these critical ecosystems and those on the
frontlines ensuring their protection and restoration. Happy World Rainforest Day!
It’s #WorldRainforestDay! Did you know...
🐸 Half of the world’s biodiversity can be found in rainforests
🌳 Rainforests absorb and store up to 30% of global carbon emissions
🌍 Scientists agree that protecting rainforests is critical to ensuring a
climate-stable future
🪵 Only 36% of our planet’s original rainforests remain intact
Today and everyday, we celebrate these critical ecosystems and their
guardians. We can all do more #forRainforests. Join us.