<p>Mumbai: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced key priorities for protection at the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to take place from November 25-December 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan—the first CITES Conference of the parties to be held in Central Asia.</p><p>WCS will be supporting a range of proposals from various governments to protect threatened and endangered species that include the okapi, all species of African hornbill, all species of Galapagos iguana, the hinged-back tortoise, and all eel species, as well as a large number of sharks and rays, according to a press release. </p><p>At the same time, WCS will oppose amendments affecting savannah elephants that would allow for a reopening of international ivory trade from stockpiles—despite a current CITES ban on all international trade, and bans on ivory sales in the US, European Union, UK, China, and others.</p><p>The okapi, Galapagos iguanas, and hinge-backed tortoise are proposed for CITES Appendix I, which provides the highest level of protection and strictly prohibits the international commercial trade in live animals or their parts. Appendix I listings will help close enforcement gaps and help governments and communities to make sure these species are safe from overexploitation and trade.</p><p>Two additional proposals seek CITES Appendix II protections for all species of African hornbills and all eel species. Appendix II protection requires that trade only be allowed if it is legal and sustainable. In addition, there are seven proposals that would protect more than 70 shark and ray species.</p><p>Susan Lieberman, WCS VP for International Policy, said, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the CITES Convention, and personally my 14th CoP. CITES may not be perfect, and governments in the Global South need more financial and technical support to more effectively implement the Convention’s requirements. But without CITES, countless species would have disappeared due to the ravages of international wildlife trade. My WCS colleagues and I look forward to CoP20, and the coming together in the historic city of Samarkand of the global CITES community for the conservation of our collective, precious wildlife heritage.”</p><p>Elizabeth Bennett, WCS VP for Species Conservation said, “Uncontrolled wildlife trade is one of the greatest threats to enormous numbers of species across the globe, including invertebrates and fish, reptiles and amphibians, songbirds, primates, small and big cats, and so many more. CITES is a critical tool for addressing such trade, and CoP20 provides an invaluable opportunity for expanding species’ protections against unsustainable trade, thereby helping to ensure their conservation.”</p>
<p>Mumbai: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced key priorities for protection at the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to take place from November 25-December 5 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan—the first CITES Conference of the parties to be held in Central Asia.</p><p>WCS will be supporting a range of proposals from various governments to protect threatened and endangered species that include the okapi, all species of African hornbill, all species of Galapagos iguana, the hinged-back tortoise, and all eel species, as well as a large number of sharks and rays, according to a press release. </p><p>At the same time, WCS will oppose amendments affecting savannah elephants that would allow for a reopening of international ivory trade from stockpiles—despite a current CITES ban on all international trade, and bans on ivory sales in the US, European Union, UK, China, and others.</p><p>The okapi, Galapagos iguanas, and hinge-backed tortoise are proposed for CITES Appendix I, which provides the highest level of protection and strictly prohibits the international commercial trade in live animals or their parts. Appendix I listings will help close enforcement gaps and help governments and communities to make sure these species are safe from overexploitation and trade.</p><p>Two additional proposals seek CITES Appendix II protections for all species of African hornbills and all eel species. Appendix II protection requires that trade only be allowed if it is legal and sustainable. In addition, there are seven proposals that would protect more than 70 shark and ray species.</p><p>Susan Lieberman, WCS VP for International Policy, said, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the CITES Convention, and personally my 14th CoP. CITES may not be perfect, and governments in the Global South need more financial and technical support to more effectively implement the Convention’s requirements. But without CITES, countless species would have disappeared due to the ravages of international wildlife trade. My WCS colleagues and I look forward to CoP20, and the coming together in the historic city of Samarkand of the global CITES community for the conservation of our collective, precious wildlife heritage.”</p><p>Elizabeth Bennett, WCS VP for Species Conservation said, “Uncontrolled wildlife trade is one of the greatest threats to enormous numbers of species across the globe, including invertebrates and fish, reptiles and amphibians, songbirds, primates, small and big cats, and so many more. CITES is a critical tool for addressing such trade, and CoP20 provides an invaluable opportunity for expanding species’ protections against unsustainable trade, thereby helping to ensure their conservation.”</p>
