THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET AT A CROSSROAD By Petch Manopawitr

Created in 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. IUCN is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2018, and with growing momentum to meet ambitious global goals, the wind toward sustainable development is finally at our backs. But there is no time to lose. Species are threatened and going extinct at alarming rates. Climate change is threatening communities, economies and the ecosystems on which they depend. The future of sustainability depends on tackling numerous challenges all at once, including food systems, the health of oceans, wildlife trafficking, business engagement and climate change. No single government or organization can fight this battle alone. With 70 years of experience, vision and impact, IUCN and its members are a powerful force to turn this around. In Thailand, we are proud to be a partner with TSPCA, our member since 2016. We congratulate TSPCA on its effective conservation work and remarkable achievements such as: the implementation of the Cruelty Prevention and Welfare of Animal Act B.E. 2557 (2014); the campaign against the release of wild birds for merit making; and the support to strengthen law enforcement against all illegal activities in Marine National Parks, including bird nest collection. IUCN very much appreciates TSPCA’s leading role in environmental education by raising animal compassion among the youth and incorporating it into the national scouting curriculum. Looking ahead, we still have much work to do. Illegal trade in wildlife has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, threatening the extinction of l ocal populations. A number of endangered species are more threatened than ever, such as Irrawaddy dolphins that have been reclassified by IUCN from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’ as their numbers have fallen by half over the past 60 years. With TSPCA as our strong member on the ground, we remain hopeful about the future of our planet. Together, we will strive to save nature – our most powerful allies in the mission to achieve our ambitious sustainable development goals.