Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods for World Wildlife Day 2026
Geneva, 1 October 2025 – Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are essential for both human health and well-being and ecological balance. These plants form the foundation of many traditional healthcare systems, contribute to modern medicine and support diverse industries ranging from cosmetics and food to agriculture and luxury goods.
Across the globe, approximately 50,000-70,000 MAP species are harvested for their healing properties, cultural significance and economic value. Of these, almost 1,300 are estimated to be listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), including over 800 in Appendix II.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70-95 per cent of human populations in developing countries rely on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. MAP cultivation and harvesting practices secure vital resources for many households worldwide, with one in five people relying on wild plants, algae and fungi for food and income.
Yet, despite their importance, many MAP species face growing threats from habitat loss, overharvesting and illegal trade. Scientific data on MAPs is often limited and Indigenous and local knowledge is underutilized in policy and conservation effort. Furthermore, over 20 per cent of MAP species used globally are considered threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List, making their conservation a global priority. Raising awareness, strengthening regulations and ensuring the sustainability of harvesting and trade are essential for these invaluable plant resources to survive in the wild.
In 2026, World Wildlife Day (WWD2026) will shine a spotlight on the critical role of MAPs under the theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
Organized in collaboration with partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Fund for Animal Welfare (ifaw), Jackson Wild and others, the WWD2026 activities will aim to:
- Celebrate conservation efforts – Highlight sustainable management initiatives through creative expressions such as youth artwork, photography and film.
- Strengthen knowledge and awareness – Share insights on MAPs, highlight their vital role in our daily lives as well as their conservation challenges and the CITES provisions governing international trade.
- Encourage research, innovation and partnerships – Foster collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable use of MAPs and share lessons learned from successful conservation models.
Leading up to the high-level United Nations event for WWD2026 on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, online activities will include the annual Jackson Wild Film Showcase and ifaw Youth Art Contest. More details will be announced soon.
In line with the UN General Assembly Resolution proclaiming World Wildlife Day, the CITES Secretariat calls on all member States and organizations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and sub-regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and all interested individuals, to:
- observe and raise awareness of the theme for World Wildlife Day 2026;
- organize local World Wildlife Day celebrations on the theme of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods;
- involve Indigenous Peoples, local communities and youth with experience and knowledge in wildlife conservation and trade in World Wildlife Day 2026 events and celebrations;
- make use of the World Wildlife Day logos and 2026 outreach material (coming soon) as widely as possible.
Updates and information about the celebrations will be ongoing and communicated via the World Wildlife Day website (to be updated) and social media channels.
Learn more about the #WWD2026 theme here.
Submit your design for the World Wildlife Day 2026 Official Poster Contest!
Graphic designers from around the world are invited to create and submit posters that align with the #WWD2026 theme.
Contest Guidelines and Information can be found in:
- English
- Français
- Español
Previous World Wildlife Day posters can be found here.
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Editor’s Notes:
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About CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 185 Parties (184 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 40,900 species of wild animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Follow CITES on social media:
Find out more: https://cites.org/eng
About the United Nations World Wildlife Day
On 20 December 2013, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 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 signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. World Wildlife Day has become the most prominent global annual event dedicated to wildlife.
For more information, follow World Wildlife Day on:
- Flickr (photo gallery)
Find out more: https://wildlifeday.org/en