The World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2025 is being observed today, March 3, with the theme "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet." This year's theme highlights the urgent need for sustainable financial solutions to protect wildlife and ecosystems.

WWD is celebrated annually to honor the invaluable role of wildlife in maintaining ecological balance and supporting human livelihoods. The United Nations General Assembly declared March 3 as World Wildlife Day in 2013 to raise awareness about the threats facing endangered species. The date marks the anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which was ratified in 1973.

With over one million species at risk of extinction, experts stress the need for innovative financing solutions to combat the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with UN agencies and conservation organizations, continues to work on global wildlife protection initiatives.

Currently, 183 nations are members of CITES, working together to regulate wildlife trade and prevent species extinction. However, the financial gap in conservation funding remains a significant challenge, making this year’s theme more relevant than ever.

As the world marks WWD 2025, global leaders, conservationists, and policymakers are urged to take bold steps to mobilize resources and invest in a sustainable future for wildlife and the planet.