As the biodiversity and deforestation crises are recognized on the global stage, France offers to host 74th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Geneva, 18 November 2021 - The upcoming 74th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee will bring together members and observers to review strategic, policy and species-specific matters affecting the implementation of the Convention at a key time in the CITES calendar, as the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) is scheduled to take place in November 2022 in Panama.

Amongst many others matters that require careful consideration, the CITES Standing Committee will discuss the following issues:
•   A possible new resolution on CITES’ contribution to reducing deforestation;
•   the role of CITES in reducing the risk of future zoonotic disease emergence associated with international wildlife trade;
•   engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities and livelihoods;
•   compliance and enforcement matters related to Malagasy ebonies, palisanders and rosewoods, and totoaba fish;
•   and reports on jaguars, eels, rosewoods, west African vultures, pangolins, sharks and rays.

CITES Standing Committee to meet in March 2022

As a result of the restrictions put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, the 73rd meeting of the Standing Committee, the 31st meeting of the Animals Committee and the 25th meeting of the Plants Committee were all postponed and took place in a fully online setting in May and June 2021. Thanks to this generous offer from France, the deliberations of the 74th meeting of the Standing Committee are planned to take place from 7-11 March 2022, the first in-person CITES meeting to be held since the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in August 2019. In the same year where a Global Biodiversity Framework is expected to be adopted by UN Member States, the Standing Committee deliberations will underline the commitment of CITES Parties to contribute to its success by regulating international trade in wild animals and plants so that it is sustainable, legal and traceable. With the invaluable support of the French Government, the proceedings will serve to underscore the political will of CITES to achieve the joint biodiversity objective to live in harmony with nature.

Standing Committee Chair Carolina Caceres said: "I am grateful to the Secretariat, Parties and observers for remaining steadfast in their commitments to the Convention despite the challenges we have faced. The past year was a reminder of the urgent need to reform our relationship with nature and to conserve the species and ecosystems upon which our own well-being depends. Though we are pleased that we can once again plan to hold our discussions face to face, the Standing Committee and the Secretariat are conscious of the continuing difficulties caused by the pandemic around the world. Full and meaningful participation is of critical importance and we have high hopes to hold this meeting in person as planned."

Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: "We are truly grateful to the French Government for their generous offer to host the 74th meeting of the Standing Committee, and for supporting the return of in-person meetings at this crucial time. This meeting will be the first major milestone of a momentous year for the Convention, as we look ahead to the upcoming CoP19 meeting in Panama. It is our duty, that of Parties and the Secretariat, to ensure we can continue reinforcing CITES to address the major challenges of biodiversity loss and species conservation through the important work of the Standing Committee. The Secretariat will do its utmost to support Standing Committee members on the matters that awaits them in their fulfillment of these key mandates."

The Standing Committee steers the work and performance of the Convention in the periods between the meetings of the Conference of the Parties, providing policy and operational guidance to the Secretariat and overseeing its budget. It also coordinates and oversees, where required, the work of other committees and working groups, carries out tasks given to it by the Conference of the Parties, and drafts resolutions for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at their next meeting.

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:

CITES Secretariat: Francisco Pérez: [email protected]