For thousands of years, medicinal and aromatic plants have been among humanity’s greatest allies. They have healed our bodies, shaped our cultures, and sustained the livelihoods of communities whose knowledge and traditions carry wisdom. Today, these remarkable plants remain essential: to global health, to modern science, and to the wellbeing of millions who depend on them.
Yet these precious species are under growing pressure. Habitat loss, overharvesting, and contamination from hazardous chemicals and waste are threatening the ecosystems they depend on. Protecting them requires coordinated, international action. This is where the partnership between the Basel Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions and the CITES convention becomes especially important.
The Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions work collectively to reduce and eliminate harmful effects posed by chemicals and wastes. By controlling the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, regulating the trade of dangerous pesticides, and phasing out certain persistent organic pollutants, the BRS Conventions help to protect the soils, the water, and the biodiversity that medicinal and aromatic plants rely on to survive. CITES complements this environmental protection by ensuring that international trade in wild medicinal and aromatic plants is legal, traceable, and sustainable.
Together, these conventions provide a powerful, integrated framework for the sustainability of medicinal plants. They safeguard human health from hazardous chemicals and wastes, preserve traditional knowledge, and strengthen responsible livelihoods. By deepening cooperation across these conventions, we can ensure that medicinal and aromatic plants continue to flourish for generations to come.
Happy World Wildlife Day!