For information only – not an official document
UNIS/MA/299
22 February 2022
invites media representatives to a
On World Wildlife Day the press conference aims to raise awareness of the devastating consequences wildlife and forest crime and crimes in the fisheries sector have on the world’s biodiversity, climate and people’s livelihood.
When:
Thursday, 3 March 2022 at 10.30 a.m. (CET)
Admission: as of 10 a.m.
Start: at 10.30 a.m.
Where:
Natural History Museum Vienna, Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Wien – Deck 50
Speakers:
• Introductory remarks by Dr. Katrin Vohland, Director General and Scientific Director of the Natural History Museum Vienna, Austria
• Candice Welsch, Deputy Director, Division for Operations, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• Gerhard Marosi, Expert for product piracy and species protection, Federal Ministry of Finance, Austria
• Anton Weissenbacher, Zoological Department Head, Zoo Schönbrunn, Vienna
• Dr. Silke Schweiger, 1st Zoological Department, Herpetological Collection Natural History Museum Vienna, Austria
Q&A moderated by Jorge Rios, Chief, Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
The press conference will take place in English.
Guided Tour:
The press conference is followed by a behind the scenes guided tour giving insights on the species protection showcase as well as the deep storage and evidence room of the Natural History Museum.
Overview:
Each year, while countless species are driven closer to extinction, criminals make billions from the sale of protected wildlife products. Not only do these crimes have a devastating impact on biodiversity, they also undermine national and regional political and economic security, weaken the rule of law, threaten global health and hinder efforts to responsibly and sustainably manage natural resources in the service of development for all. Wildlife crime is a business that is global; lucrative, with high demand driving high prices; and extremely widespread. Nearly 6,000 different species of fauna and flora have been seized between 1999 and 2018 globally, with nearly every country in the world playing a role in the illicit wildlife trade.
The 2022 World Wildlife Day is marked under the theme of “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”. It reminds us of the need to reset our relationship with nature and to address the greatest threats to our biodiversity.
COVID-19 Measures:
The 3G rule applies at the press conference.
It is obligatory to wear a mask during the press conference and the adjacent guided tour.
Registration:
Please register for the press conference at presse@nhm-wien.ac.at
Public information events on wildlife crime:
In German
Saturday, 5 March, 2022, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thementag „Wildlife Crime“ – Das Geschäft mit der Natur
https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/veranstaltungsprogramm/wildlifeday2022
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For further information please contact:
Irina Kubadinow
Head of Press & Marketing, Spokesperson
Natural History Museum Vienna
Telephone: (+ 43 1) 521 77 410
Email: irina.kubadinow[at]nhm-wien.ac.at
Magdalena Reuss
Deputy head of department, press officer
Natural History Museum Vienna
Telephone: (+ 43 1) 521 77 626
Email: magdalena.reuss[at]nhm-wien.ac.at
Helene Spitzer
Public Information Officer
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Email: helene.spitzer[at]un.org
