Geneva World Wildlife Day 2026 Celebration

In line with the World Wildlife Day 2026 United Nations event taking place online, the CITES Secretariat and the Geneva Environment Network are organizing the traditional Geneva celebration to showcase the role of Geneva in highlighting the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants in sustaining human health, cultural heritage, and local livelihoods and in advancing collaborative actions needed to ensure that these plants are conserved and used sustainably for future generations to continue benefitting from them.
Through a dedicated World Wildlife Day Exhibition, organizations from Geneva and beyond will have the opportunity to present their work and expertise across the many domains where MAPs play a vital role, including healthcare, food security, sustainable livelihoods, diverse industries, responsible trade, and broader environmental protection.
The celebration will also feature Lightning Talks – five-minute presentations (PechaKucha format 20×20) – where experts will provide a presentation on an aspect of their choosing that relates to medicinal and aromatic plants. These talks aim to explore the benefits and various applications of MAPs as well as innovative ways to overcome the pressing challenges they face from habitat loss, overharvesting, and climate change, as well as the important role played by those who protect them, such as Indigenous peoples, rural communities, governments, and conservationists.
More information: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/world-wildlife-day-2026-geneva-celebrating-expertise-in-medicinal-and-aromatic-plants-conserving-health-heritage-and-livelihoods/