Highlights and images for 27 September 2024

As delegates gathered for the closing plenary of IWC-69, conversations began to shift from agenda items to the possibility of exploring Peru, the meeting’s host country. Interventions included statements of appreciation for the lovely, mist-shrouded city of Lima, but delegates also addressed more formal matters.

The Commission approved a decision to deny Observer status to the Sea Shepherd organization, but agreed to entertain an application at a future meeting. They also heard and condemned a concerning report of influence and intimidation against Benin.

In counterpoint, the IWC’s decision earlier in the week—to continue the six-year quotas for Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling communities—underscored a sense of growing trust between aboriginal whalers and the IWC. “We came over 7,000 miles just to be here today, to make sure that we can continue to hunt our whales for the next six years.”  The work of the Scientific Committee was lauded by the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission: “The bowhead whale is probably the most studied whale in the world because of your direction and requirements.”

Other statements of gratitude focused on:
• Peru, for serving as the IWC-69 host country;
• Australia, for its willingness to host IWC-70;
• Chair Amadou Telivel Diallo, for his preparatory work;
• Martha Rojas Urrego in her first year as Executive Secretary, and the Secretariat staff;
• IWC senior editorial assistant Stella Duff and her 44 years of service;
• work of the Conservation Committee and the Scientific Committee;
• discussions on contentious issues handled with clarity and respect;
• contributions of civil society;
• incoming IWC Vice-Chair Urbain Brito; and
• the able, even-handed management of the meeting by Acting Chair Gales, including his three-minute timer, which helped bring the meeting to an early close, with all business concluded.

Gales gaveled the meeting to a close at 10:47 am.