Seventh session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-7)
(delivered by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero on behalf of BLG members)
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France, 29 April 2019
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention)
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention on Wetlands)
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
Secretary-General's statements
The Secretariat regrets to announce that the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP18), originally scheduled to take place from 23 May to 3 June in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as well as the associated 71st and 72nd meetings of the Standing Committee, are being postponed. This decision has been taken out of respect for the victims of the recent attacks and the recognition by the Standing Committee, the Secretariat and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security of the time needed for the Government of Sri Lanka to address the current situation in the country.
The Secretariat expresses its heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka for the loss of lives and many injuries following the bomb blasts that struck churches and hotels today.
The Secretariat is in contact with the Sri Lankan Government and is monitoring the situation closely.
The security implications for CoP18 are being evaluated. Further information will be provided as soon as possible and in the meantime the Secretariat thanks Parties and observers for their patience and understanding. The Secretariat is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the conference and all participants.
Ivonne Higuero
CITES Secretary-General
21 April 2019
21 March 2019, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ivonne Higuero, CITES Secretary-General
The 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will take place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 23 May to 3 June 2019. This will be the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in South Asia since CoP3 held in New Delhi, India way back in 1981.
It is a privilege and an honour for me to address you as I officially assume the office today as the Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and to be the first woman to have been chosen to lead its Secretariat.
I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the United Nations Secretary-General to ensure that the critical work of such a long-established Convention continues to be serviced efficiently and effectively by the Secretariat.
John E. Scanlon
6 April, 2018
Perhaps due to my background as a lawyer, I always regarded CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) as a remarkable international legal agreement. A well-crafted and targeted founding text, a body of resolutions that had enabled the Convention to evolve over time, committed Parties and highly engaged stakeholders, all with a deep technical knowledge of the Convention.
“Customs Enforcement: Securing Trade and Travel”
Keynote address by John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES
19 March 2018
Committee Chair, Abigail Bradshaw, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
Just seven years ago in India’s magnificent Manas National Park, there were no tigers to speak of, just a few remnants of a population wiped out after decades of civil unrest that left the park’s wildlife vulnerable to persecution.
12th IATA World Cargo Symposium
Dallas, 13 March 2018
‘Air cargo and the fight against illegal wildlife trade’
Keynote address by John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES
Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,