Highlights and images for 2 October 2018

The 70th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) continued addressing its lengthy agenda. Much of the morning was devoted to discussion on introduction from the sea (IFS) of sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) by Japan and whether it has been adversely affected by commercial trade as described within Article 13 of the Convention. The SC sought positions by parties on remedial actions to be taken on technical matters on issuance of IFS certificates by Japan and whether the sei whale is being used for ‘primarily commercial purposes.’ The SC concluded that current IFS certificates for sei whale meat and blubber are being used partly for commercial purposes and are not in conformity with the Convention, and requested Japan take remedial legal actions, stop the departure of research vessels as well as the cessation of IFS certificates until SC71. SC70 then considered the illegal trafficking of ebony and rosewood from Madagascar and concerns that disposal of stockpiles could stimulate further illegal trade. During the lunch break, the Russian Federation hosted a side event on steps taken to conserve tigers, Amur and Persian leopards, and snow leopards. During the remainder of the day, the SC considered:

• trade in specimens bred in captivity or artificially propagated; and
• the application of Article XIII to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the implementation of SC recommendations regarding quota management and issuance of export permits; management of trade of African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) and illegal trade; and trade in Afrormosia (Pericopsis elata).

IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from the 70th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth

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Morning Plenary

View of the dais during the morning plenary

Carolina Caceres, SC Chair, Canada

Basile van Havre, Canada

Hiroshi Matsuura, Japan

Valentin Ilyashenko, Russian Federation

José Funes, Mexico

Joseph Moumbouilou, Congo

Ugo Eichler Vercillo, Brazil

Sue Fisher, speaking on behalf of Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), Born Free Foundation, Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), Eurogroup for Animals, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane Society International (HSI), Japan Wildlife Conservation Society (JWCS), Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund (JTEF), Pro Wildlife, Species Survival Network (SSN), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDC); and World Animal Protection

Klamon Haktouin, Chad, raises his placard to speak

Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo, Gabon

Sonja Meintjes, South Africa

Noro Vololona Harimisa, Minister of Justice, Madagascar

Eugene Lapointe, IWMC World Conservation Trust

César Vigil Molina, Honduras

Afternoon Plenary

View of the dais during the afternoon plenary

Zhanqiang Wen, China

Adrianne Sinclair, Chair, CITES Plants Committee

Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Malaysia

Shereefa Al-Salem, Kuwait

Ji Wei, China Wildlife Conservation Association

Ronald Orenstein, HSI

Augustin Ngumbi Amuri, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mathias Lörtscher, Switzerland

Tanya Sanerib, speaking on behalf of the CBD, Lewis and Clark Law School, WCS, WWF and NRDC

Jonathan Kolby, US

Around the Venue

Delegates before the start of the session

Nadia Berny, CITES Secretariat, speaks with Carolina Caceres, SC Chair, Canada

Mathias Lörtscher, Switzerland, speaks with Sonja Meintjes, South Africa

Delegates from Mozambique

Delegates from Cameroon

Delegates from the EU and Mexico meet informally

Delegates speak informally between sessions

Delegates from Singapore

A photographic display of Russia's environmental diversity