Secretary-General's statements

22 May 2019 International Day for Biological Diversity is a day to celebrate all the forms of life with which we share this planet. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the value of biodiversity for humankind. This year’s theme, “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”, underscores the extraordinary benefits that are derived from biodiversity that provide for our very existence. Food and medicine are among the most common use of the over 36,000 species of wild plants and animals that are protected by CITES through the regulation of international trade.

22 May 2019 International Day for Biological Diversity is a day to celebrate all the forms of life with which we share this planet. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the value of biodiversity for humankind. This year’s theme, “Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health”, underscores the extraordinary benefits that are derived from biodiversity that provide for our very existence. Food and medicine are among the most common use of the over 36,000 species of wild plants and animals that are protected by CITES through the regulation of international trade.

14 June 2019, Baku, Azerbaijan Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to have been invited by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization to give a keynote address at the IT Conference. My sincere apologies for not being there with you this week but I had prior commitments that made it difficult to travel to Baku. I am sure you have been enjoying the great Azerbaijani hospitality they are well known for, and which I am very sorry to have missed.

14 June 2019, Baku, Azerbaijan Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to have been invited by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization to give a keynote address at the IT Conference. My sincere apologies for not being there with you this week but I had prior commitments that made it difficult to travel to Baku. I am sure you have been enjoying the great Azerbaijani hospitality they are well known for, and which I am very sorry to have missed.

World Ranger Day 2019 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2019 On World Ranger Day 2019, let’s join up to reflect upon the important role and selfless work of park rangers around the world in their fight to protect wildlife! World Ranger Day honours park rangers across the world who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty, and also celebrates the role rangers play in protecting our natural resources, including wild animals and plants.

World Ranger Day 2019 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2019 On World Ranger Day 2019, let’s join up to reflect upon the important role and selfless work of park rangers around the world in their fight to protect wildlife! World Ranger Day honours park rangers across the world who have been injured or lost their lives in the line of duty, and also celebrates the role rangers play in protecting our natural resources, including wild animals and plants.

World Ranger Day 2020 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2020 On World Ranger Day 2020, let us show our support for those who guard our planet’s wildlife and biodiversity. World Ranger Day is a day to honor the extraordinary work, courage and dedication of those who are on the front lines of conservation efforts in our valuable ecosystems and in the struggle against wildlife crime. We are fortunate to be able to rely on these courageous women and men who heed the call of nature and serve as the guardians of rainforests, reserves or national parks in every corner of the planet, under any climate or circumstance.

World Ranger Day 2020 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2020 On World Ranger Day 2020, let us show our support for those who guard our planet’s wildlife and biodiversity. World Ranger Day is a day to honor the extraordinary work, courage and dedication of those who are on the front lines of conservation efforts in our valuable ecosystems and in the struggle against wildlife crime. We are fortunate to be able to rely on these courageous women and men who heed the call of nature and serve as the guardians of rainforests, reserves or national parks in every corner of the planet, under any climate or circumstance.