To align with UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development – this year’s World Wildlife Day will be celebrated under the theme “Life below water: for people and planet”.
Marine wildlife has sustained human civilization and development for millennia, from providing food and nourishment, to material for handicraft and construction. It has also enriched our lives culturally, spiritually and recreationally in different ways. The capacity of life below water to provide these services, however, is severely impacted, as the planet’s oceans and the species that live within them are under assault from an onslaught of threats. As much as 40% of the ocean is now heavily affected by the most significant and direct threat of overexploitation of marine species as well as other threats such as pollution, loss of coastal habitats and climate change. These threats have a strong impact on the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on marine ecosystem services, particularly women and men in coastal communities.
On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. The UNGA resolution also designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar. World Wildlife Day has now become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife.
This year is the first World Wildlife Day to focus on life below water. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the breathtaking diversity of marine life, the crucial importance of marine species to human development, and how we can make sure it will continue to provide these services for future generations.