The 77th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recently highlighted a number of crucial issues for global conservation. This session was an opportunity to reaffirm the central role of CITES in protecting biodiversity and reducing the risk of pandemics, while stressing the importance of engaging with women, indigenous peoples and local communities.
The Role of CITES in Pandemic Risk Reduction
One of the key issues discussed at this session was the role of CITES in preventing pandemics. With the increase in international wildlife trade, it is essential to strengthen measures to prevent this trade from becoming a vector for diseases transmissible to humans. The Committee therefore examined various strategies to mitigate these risks, in line with the objectives of the Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework in Montreal.
Contributions to the Global Biodiversity Framework and Community Engagement
The Committee also discussed CITES’ contributions to the Global Framework for Biodiversity, adopted at COP15 in Montreal. This commitment aims to protect biodiversity while ensuring sustainable development, particularly in the context of international trade in species. Discussions included a special focus on women, indigenous peoples and local communities, who play a vital role in the management and conservation of natural resources.
Conservation and Sustainable Trade: Focus on Threatened Species
Another focus of the session was the conservation and sustainable trade of several threatened species, including sharks, rays, totoaba, marine turtles, great apes, rhinoceroses, big cats, elephants, and rosewood. The Committee discussed current and future measures to ensure that trade in these species does not threaten their survival. These discussions are essential to balance economic and ecological needs, ensuring that trade is regulated in a way that supports conservation.
Launch of the CITES Global Youth Network
One of the highlights of this session was the official launch of the CITES Global Youth Network. This network aims to engage young people in conservation efforts, raising their awareness of the issues surrounding the international trade in species and encouraging them to take an active part in protecting biodiversity. The network will help to create a new generation of leaders committed to conservation.
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