Highlights and images for 24 July 2017

Switzerland

Summary


CITES
On Monday, 24 July, PC Chair Adrianne Sinclair re-convened the 23rd meeting of the Plants Committee (PC23). 

In the morning, delegates considered strategic planning for 2016-2019 (CoP17-CoP18), Review of Significant Trade (RST) in specimens of Appendix-II species, timber identification, African tree species, and neotropical tree species. In considering the RST, PC Chair Sinclair underscored the importance of these reviews, calling them “core CITES business.”

After lunch, delegates considered the periodic review of the appendices, rosewood timber species, standard nomenclature, annotations for Appendix II orchids, East African sandalwood, and definition of the term “artificially propagated.”

In discussions, among other things, delegates considered questions of the PC mandate, with some divergent views expressed on discussing implementation issues within the scientific body. Multiple agenda items raised questions of definitions and interpretation of terms, with most discussions deferred to working groups for more detailed assessment. The balance of conservation and trade was highlighted by several participants. 

The PC established or re-established working groups for all the issues discussed during the day. For some, lengthy discussions took place on the scope of work of the groups, with several participants recalling the limited time and resources of the PC. The working group on strategic planning met over lunch, and the remainder of working groups will meet on Tuesday, 25 July or Wednesday, 26 July. An existing ad hoc working group on annotations, aimed at informing upcoming Standing Committee discussions, will also convene during the meeting.​

IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from the 29th Meeting of the CITES Animals Committee, Joint Meeting of the CITES Animals and Plants Committees, and 23rd Meeting of the CITES Plants Committee. The summary and analysis is now available in HTML and PDF.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu
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Morning Plenary

PC Chair Adrianne Sinclair, Canada, in discussions with Karen Gaynor, CITES Secretariat

A bird's view of the morning plenary

Tendro Radanielina, Madagascar

Pablo Sinovas, UNEP-WCMC

Martin Rose, Austria, speaking with Frans Arus, Belgium

Noel McGough, CITES Nomenclature Specialist

Irma Betty Romero Rodriguez, Peru

César Beltetón and Vera Teresinha Rauber Coradin, PC representatives for Central and South America and the Caribbean, in discussions

Michael McGuffin, American Herbal Products Association

Cindy Squires, International Wood Products Association

Delegates during the morning plenary

Joeni Setijo Rahajoe and Byoung Yoon Lee, PC representatives for Asia 

Afternoon Plenary

Noel McGough, CITES Nomenclature Specialist, chatting with PC Chair Adrianne Sinclair, Canada; Tom De Meulenaer and Karen Gaynor, CITES Secretariat, before the afternoon plenary

Hesiquio Benítez Díaz, Mexico

César Beltetón, PC representative for Central and South America and the Caribbean

María Elena Sánchez Saldaña, Species Survival Network

Charles Barber, World Resources Institute

Ali Mahamane and Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo, PC representatives for Africa

Heather Noonan, League of American Orchestras

David Harter, Germany

Paulo Carmo, PC representative for Europe

Observers and parties raising their plates to show their interest in joining a working group

Junya Nakano, Japan

John Bennett, International Society of Violin and Bow Makers

Hélène Perier, EU

Around the Venue

Participants

Negotiating blocs
European Union