Jakob Eggenberger

On World Wildlife Day, we celebrate the adoption of CITES. 2025 is a special year as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the convention's entry into force in 1975.  

Switzerland, a member state of the first hour and the Depositary Government of the Convention, is proud of what the international community has achieved in the conservation of endangered animals and plants over these fifty years. There are many examples that demonstrate how legal, sustainable and traceable international trade can make an effective and meaningful contribution to the conservation of endangered species.  

World Wildlife Day is an important opportunity to recognise, reflect on and celebrate what has been achieved. However, it is just as important to continue to support and strengthen CITES with all available means in order to meet the challenges ahead. In view of the importance of this undertaking, in 2017 already, Switzerland decided at the highest political level to provide additional support for the secretariat to implement the many tasks that the CITES Parties decide to tackle. Switzerland is convinced that this is an investment in the future of our planet and its biodiversity that we all share and depend on and that is worthy of protection.  

Part of this support goes to the CITES Global Youth Network and Program. Our youth is our future. Switzerland sees investing in the next generation by raising awareness and building knowledge as an integral part of future species conservation, because it is they who will carry this important responsibility forward in the coming years. 

We are convinced that it is essential for the international community to work together over the next 50 years to continue to strengthen CITES, and thus to invest in the planet and its people. Let's keep on going! Happy World Wildlife Day from Switzerland!