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Daily Web Updates
IISD Reporting Services (IISD RS) has produced daily web updates and a joint summary report with analysis of the meetings. To download our report, click the HTML or PDF icons below. |
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 Twenty-sixth Meeting of the Animals Committee (AC26), Joint Meeting of the Animals and Plants Committees and Twentieth Meeting of the Plants Committee (PC20) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
15-20 March 2012, 22-24 March 2012 and 26-30 March 2012 | Geneva, Switzerland and Dublin, Ireland |
Highlights for Thursday, 15 March 2012
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The twenty-sixth meeting of the Animals Committee (AC26) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) opened today in Geneva, Switzerland.
Carlos Ibero Solana, Chair of the Animals Committee (AC), opened the AC by highlighting the record number of more than 200 registered participants as a sign of the interest of parties in scientific deliberations. He stressed that the increased workload for the AC would need greater financial or staff support.
John Scanlon, CITES Secretary-General, welcomed participants to the first of a series of meetings of the scientific bodies of the Convention, which will last for the next 16 days. He acknowledged the important work done by the Committees who rely on the voluntary work of individuals.
Throughout the day participants discussed the Periodic Review of Appendices as well as conservation matters concerning shark, snake, sturgeon and paddlefish and sea cucumber.
In the afternoon, the Minister for the Environment and Forests of Madagascar thanked CITES for the technical and financial assistance provided to protect rare and threatened species of native fauna and flora, including ebony and other precious woods. He outlined strategies to end the exploitation of rare and protected species of trees in Madagascar, and to update the country’s legislation on forestries and rare species. The Secretariat noted that CITES funding from the European Commission has been diverted to Madagascar to assist in these efforts. |
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View of the Plenary during the opening session of AC26 |
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