Secretary-General's statements

 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3): Launch of the Global Coalition to Halt the Extinction of Sharks and RaysStatement by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero11 June 2025, Nice, France  © CITES Secretariat Excellencies, distinguished delegates, partners, and friends, 

 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) Ocean Action Panel 6: Advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience leaving no one behindStatement by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero11 June 2025, Nice, France The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates international trade in important marine species such as sharks and rays, corals, dolphins, marine turtles, sea horses, whales, etc.The objective of CITES is to ensure that trade, i.e. import, export, re-export and ‘introduction from the sea’ of listed species is sustainable, legal and traceable. 

 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3): Side event on Achieving SDG14 Through SDG16: The Role of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement in Ocean Governance and ProtectionStatement by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero10 June 2025, Nice, France  © CITES Secretariat Excellencies, distinguished delegates, partners, and friends,

 Plastic pollution is not just a waste issue — it's a wildlife issue.On this World Environment Day, we are reminded that for CITES-listed species, plastic waste in ecosystems adds another layer of threat to their survival.An estimated 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic are currently found in our oceans — a staggering amount that poses a direct threat to marine species such as marine turtles, cetaceans, seabirds, sharks and rays. Many of these are listed under CITES and also face pressure from wildlife crime, unsustainable bycatch and habitat loss.If we cannot keep plastics out of nature, we risk losing the very species CITES was created 50 years ago to conserve.CITES is a cornerstone of international cooperation for the conservation of wildlife. This also means addressing the environmental conditions that threaten their survival.The health of the environment and the future of biodiversity are inseparable.

 CITES Global Youth Summit (CGYS) 2025Opening Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero27 May 2025 Distinguished guests, dear youth leaders, and friends,Ladies and Gentlemen,It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the inaugural CITES Global Youth Summit in Singapore!

 Biodiversity is the foundation of life, livelihoods, and lasting peace. Plants and animals that make up our ecosystems are essential for our survival and for the resilience of our societies and economies.This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES. For five decades, CITES has worked at the intersection of wildlife conservation and sustainable use, ensuring that international trade is not detrimental to the survival of species in the wild.  

 On behalf of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora— or CITES—I am pleased to join you in celebrating World Migratory Bird Day 2025!I would like to extend my thanks to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals for their essential work to conserve migratory animals, many of which are also CITES-listed and rely on urban-adjacent habitats throughout their life cycles.And congratulations to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

 Intervention by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero as Vice-Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF)Agenda item 3 (b) (i): Contributions of the CPF, its member organizations & the UN system to achieving the thematic priorities; progress on the workplan of the Partnership Thank you, Chair.Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,Congratulations to the Chair, the bureau, and the UNFF Secretariat for the successful organization of this session.