Geneva/Jackson Hole, WY/Rome/New York, 3 March 2021 - For the first-ever virtual celebration of the United Nations World Wildlife Day, representatives of UN Member States, UN System organizations, international and non-governmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples and Local communities, and youth took part in an online event marking the Day.
World Wildlife Day is celebrated this year under the theme "Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet", highlighting the link between the livelihoods, knowledge and experiences of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities who rely on forests, and the conservation of these ecosystems and the wildlife they harbor.
In her welcoming words to speakers and viewers following the event online, Ms. Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, underlined the importance of this year's celebration, with its focus on the communities that rely on forests and their wildlife and who have historically acted as their primary custodians. She said the aim of the event was to give a voice to these important stakeholders by sharing their forest conservation knowledge and experiences to inspire the establishment of truly sustainable models of interaction with the planet´s ecosystems and wildlife.
For the first of the remarks at the high-level opening, His Excellency Mr. Federico Tenorio Calderón, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation of Peru, spoke about the immense value of the Amazon Rainforest for the livelihoods of the communities inhabiting it. Minister Tenorio Calderón emphasized that sustainable use of wildlife not only ensures the survival of species, but also generates the means for the livelihoods of communities that share their habitats.
Ms. Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault Indian Nation and President of the National Congress of American Indians, spoke of the efforts of Indigenous Peoples and Local communities to preserve the knowledge and traditions that have sustained them for millennia.
In her remarks, Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention for Biological Diversity, said that recognizing the knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities ensures participatory environmental governance for the protection of forests and wildlife.
His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, closed the high-level opening with a heartfelt plea to governments, businesses and people everywhere to scale up efforts to conserve forests and forest species, and to support and listen to the voices of forest communities. He called this an urgent step towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Two panel discussions brought together experts from around the world, first to explore the role of the livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the conservation and sustainable use of forests. The second panel looked at the opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment through the sustainable use of forests.
The first panel was opened with a message from Ms. Nemonte Nenquimo, founder of the Ecuadorian organization Alianza Ceibo and laureate of the 2020 Equator Prize, who set the scene by illustrating her community's efforts to sustainably use and conserve forest biodiversity for future generations. The panel was moderated by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero.
Speakers on this panel included Ms. Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Migratory Species; Ms. Iliana Monterroso of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR); Mr. Leif John Fosse, representing the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative; Ms. Dilys Roe, Chair of the IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group (SULI); and Mr. Kynan Tegar, a youth speaker, filmmaker and member of the Indigenous Community of Dayak Iban in Sungai Utik Longhouse, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The panelists shared their personal and professional experiences with community-led efforts towards the sustainable use of forests and forest species, and how these contributed to the conservation of these ecosystems.
The second panel opened with a message from another 2020 Equator Prize Laureate, Mr. Albert Lotana Lokasola, Founder and President of Vie Sauvage, an organization based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr. Lokasola gave highlights of their efforts to combine conservation of endemic forest species in the Congo basin, while also providing sustainable economic opportunities to local communities. The panel moderator was Ms. Adriana Dinu, Deputy Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
This panel featured Mr. Mateus Mutemba, Director General of the National Administration of the Conservation Areas (ANAC), the CITES Management Authority for Mozambique; Ms. Emmanuela Shinta, CEO & Executive Director of the Ranu Welum Foundation; Mr. Ewald Rametsteiner, Deputy Director of the Forestry Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); and Ms. Cindy L. Squires, Executive Director of the International Wood Products Association. These Panelists explored opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for local and indigenous communities generated by models geared towards sustainable use.
For the sixth year running, Jackson Wild™, the CITES Secretariat and UNDP teamed for a Film Showcase based on this year's theme. The contest attracted nearly 300 entries which brought to life a wide array of compelling stories about the work of communities involved in conserving forests and sustaining themselves through the essential ecosystem services provided by forests and wildlife.
The 11 winning films were unveiled by Ms. Lisa Samford, Executive Director of Jackson Wild™, and CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero.
The celebration was also marked by the announcement of the winner of the third World Wildlife Day Youth Art Contest, organized by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the CITES Secretariat, and UNDP.
With over 500 entries, the contest saw school-age children and young artists from over 50 countries produce some truly inspirational works of art, illustrating the deep relationship between people, forests and forest wildlife.
The winner of the Youth Art Contest, was also unveiled during the World Wildlife Day virtual celebration, introduced by Ms. Dia Mirza, actor, producer, IFAW Global Ambassador and UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, and Mr. Azzedine Downes, IFAW President and CEO.
Remarks by organizers, participants and partners:
QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General: "The growing demand for wildmeat, especially in urban settings, is increasing humans' exposure to zoonotic diseases and hunting pressure in forests. Wildmeat is an essential source of food for millions of indigenous and rural people, accounting for more than 50 percent of protein intake in many tropical and subtropical regions. But unless hunting and consumption are conducted in a sustainable manner, that supply will gradually diminish, with serious implications for food security. Already, recent studies estimate that 285 mammal species are threatened with extinction due to hunting for wildmeat. At FAO, we know that efficient food production must co-exist with biodiversity conservation if there is to be any real hope of ending poverty and hunger. To achieve those objectives, we advocate for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems that feed humanity."
Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator: "This year's World Wildlife Day celebration highlights the important links between smarter forest management policies and broader efforts to strengthen jobs and livelihoods for indigenous peoples and local communities. Nearly 1 billion people depend on forest foods, some 2.4 billion people use wood-based energy for cooking, and 1.2 billion people are dependent on agroforestry farming systems, while the formal forest sector provides an estimated 45 million jobs globally. There is an urgent need in 2021 to raise global levels of ambition and increase investments in the sustainable management of forest ecosystems if we are to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the evolving global Biodiversity Framework, and 2030 Agenda."
Mr. Alexander Trepelkov, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat: "The value of forests in supporting livelihoods, preserving biodiversity and regulating climate is undeniable. As the global community works towards a new development paradigm that integrates care for people and the planet based on the "one health" approach, the theme of this year's World Wildlife Day underscores the vital role of forests for a sustainable future for all."
Ms. Lisa Samford, Executive Director of Jackson Wild™: "The power of personal storytelling to inspire individual, community and systemic change has never been more important. As we've been increasingly isolated during this pandemic, the global impact of media to share these compelling stories has helped connect each of us to our planet and to one another to address the massive impacts of climate change and accelerate equity in our world."
Mr. Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of IFAW: "On global days of unity and celebration such as World Wildlife Day, the inherent interconnectedness between mankind and the natural environment becomes ever clearer. From the individual to the local community to the broader global community, we must all empower by inclusion and fulfill our role as stewards of the natural world. This year's theme of 'forests and livelihoods' is a vivid reminder of just how fundamental the health of the natural environment is to our own. We look forward to continuing to participate with both CITES and UNDP on such celebrations well into the future.
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