On 24 April 2026 the United Nations Postal Administration continues its Endangered Species stamp series with the issuance of twelve stamps, three maximum cards, a limited-edition silk cover and the 2026 Endangered Species folder. The 2026 Endangered Species stamps shine a spotlight on species that often go unnoticed in conservation conversations: medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). This group of flora is not only vital to ecosystems but also deeply woven into human culture, health and trade.
Medicinal and aromatic plants are indispensable to societies worldwide, providing the foundation for traditional medicine to people in developing countries, as well as supplying active compounds for modern pharmaceuticals. Beyond their medical uses, they contribute to industries such as cosmetics, food and luxury goods, while also stabilizing soils, supporting pollinators and enriching biodiversity
These plants demonstrate the many ways societies depend on nature—and underscore the need for sustainable practices to ensure they continue to support both people and ecosystems. Their inclusion in this year’s collection accentuates the growing recognition that biodiversity conservation extends far beyond charismatic animals—it reaches into the very roots, leaves and flowers that sustain traditions and modern medicine alike.
For fifty years, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has provided the global framework for its now 185 Parties (184 countries and the European Union) to ensure that trade in wild species is legal, traceable and sustainable.
The United Nations Postal Administration is proud to have supported CITES and their conservation efforts through the issuance of Endangered Species stamps of flora and fauna for over thirty years.
