23 December 2013: The UN General Assembly has adopted Resolution A/C.2/68/L.48, which designates 3 March, the day of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as World Wildlife Day, to celebrate and raise awareness of wild fauna and flora worldwide.

The resolution reaffirms the intrinsic value of wildlife and its various contributions to sustainable development and human well-being, and recognizes the important role of CITES in ensuring that international trade does not threaten species’ survival. It also requests the CITES Secretariat to facilitate the implementation of World Wildlife Day.

The UN Resolution quotes CITES Resolution 16.1, which was adopted at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CITES COP 16) designating 3 March as World Wildlife Day. [CITES News] [UNEP News Center] [UN News Center] [World Wildlife Day Facebook Page] [UN General Assembly Resolution]