The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was born out of a recognition that the conservation of wildlife is global importance and that international cooperation was required to protect certain species that were impacted by trade. Over 180 countries have ratified CITES which establishes the international legal framework to prevent the trade of endangered species and regulate the trade in others.

The 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP), the decision making body of CITES, is about to take place in South Africa from 24 September to 5 October this year, where members will vote on important resolutions that have significant implications for both the trade in wildlife and the communities that may or may not be benefiting from their natural resources. CITES is legally binding on state Parties to the convention, which are obliged to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement its goals.

Recommended use CIC for CITES (position guide)

Proposals by Parties of CITES regarding wildlife management in Africa, are debated without prior consultation with the relevant Range States!

The press conference consists of two parts:

I.

Launch of the 10th Edition of the Evolution of CITES, written by Willem Wijnstekers

Download the book by clicking an the image above

II.

Nobody asked us – yet it is our wildlife!

“NEO-COLONIALISM” OR “ECO- COLONIALISM”? ARE THE VOICES OF AFRICA HEARD?

 Speakers

The Honourable Bomo Edith Edna Molewa, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs of the Republic of South Africa (confirmed),

The Honourable Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment and Tourism of the Republic of Namibia (confirmed)

Stephen Mwansa, Permanent Secretary of the Republic of Zambia (confirmed),

Prince Mupazviriho Chiwewete, Permanent Secretary of the Republic of Zimbabwe (confirmed),

Willem Wijnstekers, former Secretary General of CITES (confirmed),

Wilfried Pabst, Owner, Save Valley Conservancy (confirmed),

Moderator: Dr. Ali A. Kaka, Regional Councillor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

When

24  September , 2016, from 17:00  to 17:45 (GMT+2)

 Where

Press Conference Room, -2 floor, Exhibition 2 Area, Sandton Convention Centre,

Johannesburg,  South Africa

Online:

The press conference will be livestreamed on the Facebook page of  The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation( CIC) https://www.facebook.com/cicwildlife/