Join the World Wildlife Day 2026 United Nations Virtual Celebration on 3 March!

The United Nations World Wildlife Day 2026 (WWD2026) VIRTUAL Celebration on 3 March 2026, 13:30 - 15:30 (CET/Central European Time) will feature stories and presentations about the sustainable use and conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants by Member State experts, high-level representatives of international organisations, industry stakeholders, local community leaders and youth network members.

Other segments include the announcement of the winners and finalists of the IFAW 2026 Youth Art Contest, the reveal of the Jackson Wild 2026 Film Showcase feature films, and the launch of the 2026 Endangered Species Stamps Series.

Interpretation in English, French and Spanish available on Webex here

Moderated by Ms Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General, CITES

High-level Opening

• Mr Kristopher Blake, Chair, CITES Standing Committee, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• H.E. Mrs Francisca Méndez Escobar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of México to the United Nations, Geneva

• Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP

• Ms Francine Pickup, Deputy Assistant Administrator, UNDP

Musical Performance

• Dr Helen Anahita Wilson, Composer, Wellcome Trust Research Fellow 2026-2029, King’s College London

2026 Endangered Species Stamps Launch

• Ms Rorie Katz, United Nations Postal Administration

Lightning Talks on the Trade and Conservation of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants around the World

• Moderated by Mr TING Wai Kit, Co-Founder, CITES Global Youth Network and Youth Executive, Mandai Nature

• Speakers:

  • Chamomile - Dr Rita Engel, Horticultural Engineer, Department of Botany in the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest, Hungary

  • Frankincense (Boswellia papyrifera) - Dr Melesse Maryo, Associate Professor, Ethiopian Wildlife Authority

  • Jatamansi - Ms Kalpana Sharma Dhakal, Scientific Officer Department of Plant Resources of Nepal

  • Candelilla - Dr Tim Synnott, Former Executive Director, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Statements from the Floor by Member States

• H.E. Dr. Linkham Duangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

• H.E. Ms Irene Vélez Torres, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia

• H.E. Lt. Gen. Bashir Mohamed Jama, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia

• Ms Célia de Lavergne, Director of Water and Biodiversity, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion of France

Jackson Wild 2026 Film Showcase Finalists Reveal

• Ms Christie Quinn, Executive Director, Jackson Wild

Stakeholder Stories from the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Value Chain

• Moderated by Ms Anastasiya Timoshyna, Director of the European Programme Office, TRAFFIC and Co-Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission Medicinal Plant Specialist Group

• Speakers:

  • Ms Emma Willliams, CITES Policy Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, United King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  • Ms Neida Andi Arimuya, Kichwa Indigenous Spiritual Guide from the Amazonian Ecuador

  • His Majesty MVONDO Bruno, the President of African Network of Traditional Leaders for Environmental Conservation and the Sustainable Management of Ecosystems and Forests, Cameroon

  • Ms Elisa Aragon, Co-Founder, Nelixia, Paraguay

  • Ms Jamie Horst, Chief Purpose Officer, Traditional Medicinals, United States of America

ifaw Youth Art Contest – Winners and Finalists Announcement

• Mr Azzedine Downes, President and CEO, ifaw

Takeaway Messages

• Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN

• Mr Richard Scobey, Executive Director, TRAFFIC

Closing

Watch on YouTube

Watch on Webex (English, French, Spanish interpretation available)

Enter the IFAW 2026 Youth Art Contest by 1 February 2026!

IFAW is excited to announce the 2026 World Wildlife Day (WWD) International Youth Art Contest.

Wild animals and plants are a vital part of the intricate web of life, sustaining ecosystems and natural processes that we depend on to survive and thrive. Through the transformational power of art, contestants will raise awareness for wildlife conservation and share the benefits we receive from wild plants and animals.

This year’s World Wildlife Day is celebrated under the theme of “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.” Tens of thousands of medicinal and aromatic plants are harvested around the world and are vital to human health and well-being. These critical species are at risk of extinction due to the ongoing impacts of habitat loss, overharvesting, illegal trade, and more—the same faced by threatened and endangered wildlife species in peril as well.  

Plants are critical to the globe’s biodiversity and to healthy habitats for living beings. To pay tribute to the 2026 theme, we encourage artists to include plants in their wildlife entries this year—particularly as many animals use plants for medicinal and aromatic purposes too.  

The International Youth Art contest is held in partnership with the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The contest is open to youth artists aged 4-18 using traditional art mediums (hand drawn using markers, crayons, colored pencils, and/or paint). Please be sure to include plants within the scope of your wildlife art.

All contestants have until 1 February 2026 to submit their work. All entries must be submitted electronically via uploading on IFAW’s website. Finalists and winning entries will be presented at the official World Wildlife Day event on 3 March 2026. 

The contest is now closed. Winners and finalists will be announced on 3 March!

Submit your film to the Jackson Wild 2026 Film Showcase! 

Each year on March 3, the world comes together to celebrate World Wildlife Day, honoring the incredible diversity of life on Earth and the vital connections between people and nature. In partnership with CITES, the United Nations, UNDP, and IFAW, Jackson Wild joins this global celebration through the World Wildlife Day Film Showcase.

The 2026 theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,”  highlights the essential role these plants play in global health, traditional knowledge, and sustainable economies.

Jackson Wild is seeking films that explore this theme — from the healing power of nature to the communities protecting these species. Films selected for the World Wildlife Day Film Showcase are available throughout 2026 in free educational screenings. The selection of films will be announced on March 3rd during the virtual World Wildlife Day Celebration.

Extended deadline: 11 February 2026

Learn how to participate here

WWD2026 Social Media Kit - Trello Board coming soon!