Johannesburg - The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) kicked-off its triennial conference at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday.
Over 2 500 representatives, including from more than 180 governments, inter-governmental organisations, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, and businesses are attending the conference which will wind up on October 5.
The attendees will address some of the difficult and contentious issues revolving around differing approaches among Cites parties on matters affecting trade in elephants and ivory and rhino and rhino horn.
Sixty-two proposals made by 64 countries will be debated over the next two weeks in a global effort to enhance conservation and regulate the trade in wild animals and plants. Governments will consider and accept, reject, or adjust these proposals for amending the Cites appendices at #CoP17.
Unlike most other international agreements, Cites votes where consensus is not possible, with a two-thirds majority required. Proposals include the protection of marine species, such as silky and thresher sharks and devil rays, and plant and timber species, such as many rosewood species and the Grandidier's baobab tree.
The protection of African elephants, white rhino, lions, pumas, the African Grey parrot and Nile crocodile, together with many frogs, lizards, and snakes, are also on the agenda. In addition to enforcement-related decisions and resolutions to combat illegal trade in wildlife, #CoP17 will consider a powerful set of proposals to reduce demand for illegally traded wildlife specimens.
How to better engage with local communities' to ensure they benefit from the wildlife they are living among will reflect the three-pronged approach taken under Cites to address poaching and wildlife trafficking.
Delegates will also review the first comprehensive survey of global wildlife forensic capacity to support the implementation and enforcement of the convention.
Commissioned by the Cites secretariat in co-operation with the United Nations office on drugs and crime (UNODC), it provides a comprehensive picture of laboratory capacity at the global level for performing forensic analysis in support of Cites implementation and enforcement.
Events on plant species will highlight the close collaboration Cites has with key organisations on legal and sustainable trade in plant and timber species and will mark the 10th anniversary of Cites collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
Cites parties have called for improved traceability of Cites-listed specimens in various sectors, such as in caviar, luxury reptile skins, timber, and shark products. Feasibility studies have highlighted the potential benefits and challenges of putting in place traceability systems for the implementation of Cites.
Parties will discuss if there is a need for overarching guidance on developing traceability projects in Cites, including for common definitions, technical standards, and governance/managerial frameworks.
African News Agency