04 Mar 2024
Thank you, Madam Secretary General.
Singapore thanks you and the Secretariat of CITES for hosting today’s celebration of World Wildlife Day.
Madam Secretary General,
Singapore is slightly smaller than New York City, yet we are home to more than 400 bird species and 70 species of land mammals. Our size poses unique challenges in land planning as we strive to balance the many needs of a country.Our approach to nature conservation is therefore different from that of larger countries.
Singapore strives to become a City in Nature by weaving nature right into our urban fabric. This requires a science-based approach, paired with digital innovation, which is the key theme for today’s discussions. We have heard how digital technologies are critical to support wildlife conservation. For example, to reduce roadkill, video analytics can be applied to detect live animal crossings and alert motorists. Satellite tracking and acoustic monitoring can be used to survey birds and marine species.
Digital innovation is also important in the global fight to combat illegal wildlife trade. Two years ago, we partnered with Microsoft and Conservation International to develop the Fin Finder mobile application, which can identify shark species from photos of their fins through machine learning and artificial intelligence. Today, this app helps support worldwide enforcement efforts against illegally traded shark species.
But as with addressing various global challenges, international cooperation is key.Singapore remains keen to enhance collaboration among source, transit, and destination countries against illegal wildlife trade.
In conclusion, Madam Secretary General, the global digital revolution provides us valuable opportunities to improving wildlife conservation, to promote sustainable and legal wildlife trade. We must capitalise on these opportunities, and I look forward to our combined efforts to leverage digital innovation in safeguarding our biodiversity. On a personal note, I’m very glad that some of our youths are among us today to take these efforts forward.
I wish everyone a happy World Wildlife Day.
Thank you.
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