Resolution Conf. 5.20*

Guidelines for the Secretariat when making recommendations
in accordance with Article XV

NOTING Article XV, paragraph 2 (b) and (c), of the Convention requiring the Secretariat to make recommendations to the Parties regarding amendments proposed for Appendices I and II;

RECOGNIZING problems encountered by the Secretariat in always obtaining sufficient data on which to base its recommendations;

RECOGNIZING also that data and information may be obtained from a wide variety of publications and sources;

THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION

ESTABLISHES the following guidelines to be followed by the Secretariat when making recommendations in accordance with Article XV, paragraph 2 (b) and (c), of the Convention:

a) where appropriate, references shall be cited in the text of recommendations so that specific data can be traced to a source;

b) citations shall be given in accordance with a recognized scientific standard for such citations;

c) data in unpublished form may be used and referred to, provided that the source is indicated. If the information is classified as confidential, this fact must be stated;

d) if the species has been listed previously or proposed for listing or delisting, a brief history of such listing or proposals and their treatment under CITES may be included in the recommendations;

e) if applicable, reference should be made to any existing Resolutions affecting the proposal or to any draft resolutions that have been tabled and await consideration by the Parties;

f) additional biological or trade data may be requested from the proposing or range States, or from any other source to confirm or dispute other available data; and

g) as far as possible, the Secretariat's recommendations should be based on as wide a range of information as it can obtain recognizing that such information should not be limited to scientific data; and

URGES the Secretariat to continue to endeavour to provide recommendations with the main objective of furthering the principles and effective implementation of the Convention.

 

* Amended by the Secretariat in compliance with Decision 14.19 and with the decisions adopted at the 58th meeting of the Standing Committee.