On March 3, the world celebrates World Wildlife Day. The decision to observe this day was adopted on December 20, 2013, at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The date was chosen to mark the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973.
The 2026 theme is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods for World Wildlife Day 2026”. It highlights the importance of these plants for human health and cultural traditions, as well as their contribution to the sustainable development of local communities. At the same time, it underscores growing threats related to habitat loss, overharvesting, climate change, and illegal trade.
According to official UN data:
· Around 9% of plant species used worldwide for medicinal and aromatic purposes are threatened with extinction due to overexploitation, habitat loss, climate change, and illegal trade.
· One in five people depends on wild plants, algae, and fungi as sources of food and income.
· Between 70-95% of the population in developing countries relies on traditional medicine as their primary form of healthcare.
World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to recognize the diversity and beauty of wild fauna and flora, while raising awareness of the benefits that conservation brings to people. It also serves as a reminder of the need to strengthen efforts against wildlife crime, which carries far-reaching economic, environmental, and social consequences. Preventing biodiversity loss is a priority under Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land).
On the occasion of the day, RA Environment Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan wrote on his Facebook page:
“This day reminds us that the foundation of wildlife conservation lies in our everyday choices - the careful use of resources and a responsible attitude toward the environment.
Every species of biodiversity, from plants to animals, plays a vital role in maintaining nature’s balance, and disrupting that balance affects us all. In the context of hosting the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), our goal is clear - to strengthen biodiversity protection, preserve and restore habitats, develop science-based management and monitoring tools, and consistently combat illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking. At the same time, I consider community engagement and the promotion of responsible, sustainable use of nature to be essential.
Nature is our shared responsibility. Let us act for nature - to preserve it, to foster caring and responsible behavior, and to pass on a healthy, safe, and viable environment to future generations.”
Armenia is located within one of the world’s richest biodiversity ecoregions. More than 3,500 species of higher vascular plants and approximately 17,500 animal species have been recorded in the country, including 536 vertebrate species.
March 03, 2026 at 18:00