Intersessional work of the Standing Committee - 2020-2022

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Standing Committee decided that its 73rd meeting would not take place on 5-9 October 2020 in Geneva, Switzerland (see Notification to the Parties No. 2020/051 of 16 July 2020). The Standing Committee had concluded that a face-to-face meeting was not possible due to concerns related to the health and safety of participants, sanitary measures, border controls, and restrictions caused to air travel and agreed on the postponement option.

Led by its Chair, the Standing Committee is developing actions to advance its work intersessionally.

Most preparatory work for the accomplishment of tasks mandated to the Standing Committee by the Conference of the Parties is being undertaken by the Animals Committee, the Plants Committee or the Secretariat in accordance with the instructions from the CoP. Some issues are being taken forward by intersessional working groups established by the Standing Committee at its 72nd meeting. Details of their mandates and membership can be found here.

After consultation with the Chair of the Standing Committee, the Secretariat is preparing additional background documents to assist the Committee with its work.

• Find the Membership List of the Working Groups here.

• Guidance for the chairs of intersessional and in-session working groups is available here.

• Notification No. 2020/081 - Membership of Standing Committee intersessional working groups (22/12/2020)
• Notification No. 2021/015 - Intersessional decision-making of the Standing Committee (04/02/2021)
• Notification No. 2021/031 - Establishment and membership of Standing Committee intersessional working group (08/04/2021)
• Notification No. 2021/033 - Intersessional decision-making of the Standing Committee (26/04/2021)
• Notification No. 2021/043 - Intersessional decision-making of the Standing Committee - Supplementary information (01/07/2021)
• Notification No. 2021/046 - Intersessional decision-making of the Standing Committee (12/07/2021)
• Notification No. 2021/054 - Intersessional decision-making of the Standing Committee - Programme of Work for the Joint CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative (14/09/2021)

• SC2020 Doc. 1 - Guidance for chairs of CITES working groups established by the Standing Committee, Animals Committee and Plants Committee (05/11/2020)
• SC2020 Doc. 2 - Guidance on the use of the scientific exchange exemption and the simplified procedures to issue permits and certificates (05/11/2020)
• SC2020 Doc. 3 - Review of Resolutions and Decisions (05/11/2020)
• SC2020 Doc. 4 - Revised Guidelines for the preparation and submission of CITES annual reports and Guidelines for the preparation and submission of CITES annual illegal trade reports (05/11/2020)
• SC2020 Doc. 5 - Guidance for the publication of the Appendices (05/11/2020)
• SC2021 Doc. 1 - Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the Convention: preparing for the unexpected (28/01/2021)