World Wildlife Day: UN focuses on Innovative finance solutions
By Samuel Ogunsona
Amidst depleting wildlife resources in Yorubaland, the United Nations has celebrated the World Wildlife Day 2025 with a focus on innovative finance solutions for wildlife conservation.
Threats to Wildlife in Yorubaland is real with incessant attacks on rare animal and plant species made worse by terrorists usurpation of indigenous land which they burn down and destroy.
The theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” brought together global leaders, conservationists, and financial experts to explore ways to bridge the global wildlife conservation finance gap.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero emphasized that “investing in wildlife is just as much about conserving species as it is about securing the future of a sustainable planet and for current and future generations.”
She added that wildlife conservation finance is the bridge between ambition and action, ensuring that nature thrives alongside humanity.
The event featured high-level discussions, workshops, and exhibitions showcasing successful conservation finance models and innovative solutions.
Distinguished delegates from South Africa, Switzerland, and Uzbekistan highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovative financing mechanisms for lasting conservation impact.
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner noted that the survival of wildlife and their natural habitats is essential to securing a thriving future for all life on Earth.
He emphasized that investing in nature is crucial for the economy and to support the mission of the World Bank Group to end poverty on a livable planet.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Director-General Grethel Aguilar presented examples of innovative finance solutions, including the WALD Innovation Facility and the Blue Carbon Accelerator. World Bank Group Senior Managing Director Axel Van Trotsenburg stressed the importance of investing in nature for the economy and to support the mission of the World Bank Group.
However, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) announced the winners of the 2025 International Youth Art Contest, which saw over 3,000 entries from 140 countries. The event’s artistic segment closed with the announcement of the selected films for the World Wildlife Day 2025 Jackson Wild Film Showcase.
