Today (March 3, 2025) at 10:30 AM, Dr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, presided over the opening ceremony of World Wildlife Day 2025, which is observed annually on March 3. This year’s event is held under the theme "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet," emphasizing the importance of financial investment in the conservation of wildlife and plant resources as a means of protecting both humanity and the planet.
As part of the ceremony, Dr. Chalermchai presented the Forestry Conservation Award to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to wildlife conservation and management. The event was attended by Mr. Nipon Jomnongsirisak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; Mr.Athapol Charoenshunsa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation; senior executives from affiliated agencies; as well as members of the public and youth representatives.
The event took place at the activity area on the first floor of the Seub Nakhasathien Building at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. It featured a range of activities, including academic discussions, panel talks, and exhibitions aimed at raising awareness about natural resource conservation. More than 20 partner organizations and sponsors participated in the event, offering activities such as a ball python beauty contest, an exhibition of award-winning wildlife and plant paintings from the CITES-listed species art competition, a wildlife quiz competition with prizes, and a wildlife exploration activity.
Dr. Chalermchai emphasized that this year’s World Wildlife Day marks a special occasion for Thailand to celebrate the beauty of nature while reaffirming its commitment to wildlife and plant conservation. Thailand has been hosting World Wildlife Day celebrations for 12 consecutive years, following its successful proposal at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2013 in Bangkok. This proposal led to the official recognition of March 3 as World Wildlife Day.
This year, CITES has placed significant emphasis on financial resources, recognizing them as a crucial factor in driving conservation efforts across all sectors. Dr. Chalermchai called on all stakeholders to actively participate in preserving Thailand’s wildlife, plant life, and natural resources, ensuring their sustainability for future generations. He also highlighted Thailand’s role as a global leader in conservation, setting an example for the international community in protecting and managing natural resources responsibly
