World Wildlife Day 2026: Spotlighting Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
Oru Leonard
3 March 2026 – The United Nations will mark World Wildlife Day 2026 with a global celebration focused on the theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
Observed annually on 3 March, World Wildlife Day highlights the vital role of wild animals and plants in sustaining ecosystems, cultures and economies worldwide. The 2026 theme emphasizes the importance of medicinal and aromatic plant species in supporting healthcare systems, preserving traditional knowledge and sustaining livelihoods for millions of people.
In his official message, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that human activity continues to push millions of species toward extinction, underscoring the urgent need for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), highlighted how medicinal and aromatic plants are deeply woven into cultures and economies across the globe, calling for strengthened international cooperation to protect these critical species.
Virtual UN Celebration in Switzerland
A virtual global celebration will take place on 3 March 2026 from 13:30 to 15:30 CET, hosted from Switzerland. The event will bring together governments, youth, conservation organizations and the public to discuss sustainable management, innovation and community-led conservation efforts.
The official World Wildlife Day 2026 poster, featuring a lavender-themed design, was created by contest winner Ms. Hannah Payet. Winners of the IFAW Youth Art Contest will also be announced on 3 March.
World Wildlife Day is celebrated through events and campaigns worldwide, both online and in person. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to share their stories, photos and actions on social media using the hashtags #WorldWildlifeDay, #WWD2026, and #MedicinalAromaticPlants.
World Wildlife Day is organized in collaboration with partners including the United Nations, CITES, United Nations Development Programme, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Jackson Wild.
For more information and to register events, participants can visit the official World Wildlife Day website or contact wildlifeday@un.org.
