|
|
|
|
|
Summary and Analysis
IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) has produced daily web updates and a summary and analysis from this meeting. To download our reports, click the HTML or PDF icons below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sixty-second meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing Committee
23-27 July 2012 | Geneva, Switzerland |
Highlights for Tuesday, 24 July 2012
|
|
|
|
On Tuesday morning, the Standing Committee (SC) discussed: the African elephant fund; elephant conservation, illegal killing and ivory trade; and control of ivory trade in Thailand. On elephant conservation, IUCN Species Specialist Committee (SSC) Asian Elephant Specialist Group lamented the new “elephant crisis,” noting worrying indications of an increase in Asian elephant illegal killings. IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group reported that, in spite of existing measures and improved monitoring, demand continues to grow. Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) reported the highest levels of poaching since MIKE records began, pointing to linkages between poverty, weak governance, ivory demand and law enforcement capacity. Ensuing discussions focused on: recommending reporting on ivory trade controls not only to China but also to identified source, transit or destination countries; preventing illegal trade in live elephants; the relevance of legal ivory sales; and improving cooperation between range states and destination countries.
In the afternoon, the SC took up the agenda item on a decision-making mechanism for authorizing ivory trade, with divergent views being expressed on a consultancy study on decision-making mechanisms and necessary conditions for a future trade in African elephant ivory. Chair Øystein Størkersen (Norway) eventually proposed informal consultations on how to take discussions forward. The SC also addressed: review of Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP15) (trade in elephant specimens); cooperation between parties and promotion of multilateral measures; CITES and livelihoods; and capacity building.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|