Friday, 15 November 2002
Plants Committee Chair Clemente thanked Parties for their consideration of the recommendations from the Plants Committee.

Chile expressed its gratitude to all delegations for attending the COP. He stated that Chile's economy is based on exports, stressed conservation of natural resources, and highlighted Chile's commitment to the WSSD Plan of Implementation.

Thailand offered to host the next COP. Parties agreed and Chair Bitar announced that the next COP would be held at the end of 2004 in Thailand.

Closing remarks:

Parties expressed their appreciation to the host country of Chile. CITES Secretary-General Willem Wijnstekers noted satisfaction with the overall results of the meeting, highlighting the steps taken to develop relationships with the FAO, CCAMLR and IWC. Chilean Agriculture Minister Jaime Campos thanked the Secretariat, Parties and NGOs for their contributions. COP Chair Sergio Biatra closed the meeting at 1:07 pm.

Committee I Chair David Morgan

Jim Armstrong, Deputy Secretary General

Tom Milliken, Director of TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa

Anne-Marie Delahunt, Committee II chair

Craig Manson, US

Fernando Emilio Olave Ortiz, Chile

Participants looking over images of the meeting

Friends and members of the EU gather to bid farewell to retiring Danish representative, Veit Koester

Harriet Gillett, UNEP-WCMC with Anne-Marie Delahunt, Committee II chair