Tulani Ngwenya
GENEVA, Switzerland – The 78th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee commenced in Geneva, bringing together representatives from across the globe to reaffirm their commitment to the sustainable future of global wildlife.
CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, opened the session, welcoming participants and highlighting the critical role they play in ensuring that international trade in wildlife remains sustainable, legal, and traceable.
“Your presence here is a testament to your shared commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for our global wildlife,” Higuero stated, highlighting the collective responsibility of the delegates. She extended her gratitude to the Standing Committee Chair, Ms. Rosemarie Gnam, for her invaluable leadership. “We all look forward to embarking on the important discussions ahead with you,” she added. Higuero also thanked Switzerland for hosting the event at the CICG and acknowledged the generous contributions of various donors supporting the Convention’s work.
This year’s meeting holds particular significance as it marks 50 years since the Convention entered into force, a milestone underscoring the enduring dedication of CITES Parties. “Half a century of CITES implementation has brought remarkable achievements in the face of evolving challenges,” Higuero noted, attributing this success to the steadfast commitment of the Parties.
A notable highlight was the welcoming of Turkmenistan as the 185th Party to CITES, further solidifying Central Asia’s commitment to sustainable international trade and conservation of CITES-listed species. “On 2 January 2025, the Convention entered into force in Turkmenistan, unifying the Central Asia region’s commitment to sustainable international trade and conservation,” Higuero announced with pride.
Over the next six days, participants will review the progress made over the past 13 months and strategise for the upcoming CoP20, scheduled to take place later this year in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. “We are honored to have the presence of His Excellency Mr. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, who will present his vision for a successful and impactful CoP,” she mentioned.
Higuero highlighted key areas of progress, including efforts related to CITES-listed tree species, the interdisciplinary study on CITES and forests, and the comprehensive study on Vaquita and Totoaba. She commended the establishment of the Trilateral Enforcement Contact Group to address totoaba specimen trafficking and the strides made in compliance matters concerning African teak and Malagasy palisanders and rosewoods.
“Thanks to all those who contributed to these significant achievements,” Higuero remarked, stressing the collaborative efforts of the Parties. Further, she praised the activities of the Animals and Plants Committees, particularly concerning African carnivores, rosewood tree species, and agarwood-producing taxa. The ongoing momentum for youth engagement through the CITES Global Youth Network was also acknowledged. “The continued momentum for CITES youth engagement, in particular through the recent activities of the CITES Global Youth Network, is truly inspiring,” she said.
Higuero expressed appreciation for the extensive contributions to intersessional meetings and workshops, which included topics such as amphibian conservation, non-detriment findings, the transport of live specimens, and marine ornamental fish management. “I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Chairs of the Animals and Plants Committees, the Chairs of the intersessional working groups, the participants of all the groups, and, as always, my devoted team at the CITES Secretariat,” she stated. She lauded the dedication of the CITES Secretariat staff, whose efforts in technical meetings, assistance to Parties, and administrative responsibilities have been unwavering despite resource constraints.
The Secretary-General highlighted the significant growth in the scope of CITES’ work, noting the sharp increase in decisions and agenda items over the years without a corresponding increase in Secretariat staff or financial resources. “Unfortunately, it’s not only about staff pressures but also about the availability of financial resources for the work of the Convention,” Higuero explained, pointing out the financial challenges faced by the Secretariat. She emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges, particularly in light of the political changes and global crises affecting environmental sustainability funding.
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As preparations for CoP20 progressed, Higuero underscored the importance of the triennial budget discussion, stressing that adequate resources are crucial for the Secretariat to support all Parties, especially those facing implementation challenges. “The triennial budget to be adopted at CoP20 will be a crucial topic of discussion at this meeting,” she noted.
In her closing remarks, Higuero reiterated the CITES Strategic Vision’s goal of ensuring that all wildlife trade is sustainable, legal, and traceable. “It is now more critical than ever to reinforce CITES’ role as a convention that stands at the intersection of environment, trade, and development,” she asserted. She called for strong collaboration and collective commitment from all 185 Parties, covering over 40,000 species of wild plants and animals. “Given the scarce resources available, both for the Permanent Committees and the Parties, your discussions this week must focus on actionable and impactful recommendations that will shape the future of CITES,” she urged.
Confident in the participants’ dedication, Higuero concluded, “I have every confidence that, together, you will seize this opportunity to address the priority wildlife issues through a constructive and respectful dialogue to achieve a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence with nature.”
The meeting is set to be a productive and enriching six-day session, paving the way for significant advancements in global wildlife conservation and trade regulation.
