Wild Plants that Sustain Lives: Scaling Sustainable Use and Trade of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for GBF Implementation

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) underpin global health systems, cultural traditions, and sustainable livelihoods for millions of people worldwide. Yet, increasing demand, complex supply chains, and unsustainable harvesting practices continue to place many species at risk. For Indigenous Peoples and local communities, these plants are also integral to traditional knowledge systems, cultural identity, food security and primary health care.  In recognition of the contribution of these species to people, economies and ecosystems, and importance of their conservation, medicinal and aromatic plants are the subject of the World Wildlife Day 2026. Medicinal and aromatic plants also represent an essential component of primary health care and traditional medicine for billions of people worldwide, highlighting the close interlinkages between biodiversity conservation, human health and sustainable development.

By connecting science, policy, and practice, the proposed CBD CoP17 side event aims to celebrate the value of wild plants and accelerate global action for their conservation and sustainable use. The event will also highlight the contribution of medicinal and aromatic plants to health and well-being, recognizing their importance for traditional medicine, primary health care and resilient health systems, while showcasing ongoing collaboration between UN agencies, partners and Indigenous Peoples in advancing the biodiversity–health nexus.  

These approaches build upon generations of Indigenous stewardship, customary governance and traditional knowledge systems that have sustained wild plant populations for centuries. The event will showcase how sustainable, legal, and traceable trade in wild plants—particularly CITES-listed MAPs—can directly contribute to the delivery of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), notably Targets 5 (sustainable, safe and legal use of wild species) and 9 (benefits from sustainable use), while supporting the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and Biodiversity and Health agenda items.

The event will feature three short films from the CITES & Livelihoods Initiative, highlighting community-based sustainable use and trade in Jatamansi (Nepal), Candelilla (Mexico), and Cape Aloe (South Africa). These case studies illustrate how well-managed trade in CITES-listed species can generate livelihood benefits while incentivizing conservation of plants and sensitive habitats, connecting to other case-studies, and linking across supply chains to the actions on consumer/demand side.

The session will also provide a platform for Parties, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP and LCs), and partners to share experiences and practical approaches for sustainable trade – also inviting varied exchange and learnings on traditional management practices, governance approaches, and market-based systems that can enable sustainable trade.

Objectives

• Showcase practical solutions for sustainable use and trade in wild plants, with a focus on medicinal and aromatic plants
• Demonstrate real-world impact through CITES & Livelihoods films and case studies
• Support implementation of GBF Targets 5 and 9, and alignment with the GSPC
• Facilitate exchange among Parties, UN agencies, IPLCs and stakeholders on policy, practice, and financing opportunities
• Build momentum for scaling sustainable wild plant trade approaches globally

Expected Outcomes

• Increased visibility of wild plants in the GBF implementation agenda
• Strengthened recognition of sustainable trade as a conservation tool
• Enhanced recognition between CBD and CITES commitments
• Concrete examples to inform GSPC delivery
• New partnerships and commitments to scale sustainable MAP value chains