The United Nations (UN) in partnership with celebrities on Wednesday launched a new campaign to re-invigorate the fight against illegal wildlife trade.
Dubbed "WildforLife", the campaign was launched on the sidelines of the ongoing second edition of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA2) in Nairobi.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a message sent to the launching ceremony of the campaign that it will inject fresh vitality in efforts to save iconic wildlife species.
"Each year, thousands of wild animals are illegally killed by organized criminal networks motivated by greed and profit. I call upon everyone to support our new campaign which aims to mobilize the world to end this destructive trade," said the UN chief.
He added that conserving wildlife species is critical to sustain livelihoods and vital ecosystems.
According to latest UNEP statistics, illegal wildlife trade is worth up to 20 billion U.S. dollars annually, and is one of the largest illegal trades in the world, along with trafficking of drugs, arms, and humans. And an estimated 170 tonnes of ivory was illegally exported out of Africa from 2009 to 2014.
The campaign will be spearheaded by UN agencies in partnership with influential celebrities to raise awareness on the human and natural induced threats to the survival of wildlife species. Famous celebrities from China, India, Indonesia, African countries, Lebanon and Vietnam have pledged support for the campaign
Speaking at the campaign launch, the African Union (AU) commissioner for agriculture and rural economy, Rhoda Peace Tumusiime said the war against illegal trade in wildlife products was a priority in the continent.
"The leadership in this continent has committed itself to the fight against poaching of iconic mammals. We have developed a continental strategy to fight this vice," Tumusiime said.
She said the AU member states have strengthened collaboration with bilateral allies like China to re-energize the war against wildlife crimes.
On her part, the Kenyan minister for environment Judi Wakhungu hailed the campaign, terming it a game-changer in global efforts to halt loss of iconic wildlife species due to poaching.
"We need to raise awareness in the source, transit and destination markets to ensure illegal trade in wildlife products is eradicated completely," she said.
