Additionally, the Committee reviewed implementation of the Convention for captive-breeding and ranching operations and decided to closely monitor 14 operations that may warrant further examination, including farms breeding crocodiles in Colombia and bird facilities in the Solomon Islands.
Critical Financial Situation
The critical financial situation that faces CITES, however, does not reflect the importance of tackling wildlife serious crimes and ensuring sustainability, legality and traceability of wildlife trade.
The Secretariat announced that it will require an annual budget of close to USD 7 Million to maintain its current staffing levels (that are 26% lower than levels in 2000) if it is to effectively carry out its functions during the next triennium (2013-2016). This will imply an increase in the contributions made by the 175 member States.
In an effort to enhance national implementation of the Convention, the Secretariat announced its intention to present a proposal to CoP16 on whether to request the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to serve as a financial mechanism of the Convention. As a complementary measure, the Secretariat is also continuing to explore innovative financing options.
About CITES
With 175 Member States, CITES remains one of the world’s most powerful tools for biodiversity conservation through the regulation of trade in wild fauna and flora. Thousands of species are internationally traded and used by people in their daily lives for food, housing, health care, ecotourism, cosmetics or fashion.
CITES regulates international trade in close to 35,000 species of plants and animals, including their products and derivatives, ensuring their survival in the wild with benefits for the livelihoods of local people and the global environment. The CITES Permit System seeks to ensure that international trade in listed species is sustainable, legal and traceable.
CITES was adopted in Washington D.C. on 3 March 1973. The 40th anniversary of the Convention will be celebrated in March 2013 which coincides with the 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 3 to 15 March 2013.
Source: CITES.
