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S. Africa hails CITES meeting outcomes

Xinhua, October 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Africa on Wednesday praised the decisions which came out of the 17th Conference of Parties (CoP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa told a press briefing in Johannesburg, where the conference was held from Sept. 24 to Oct. 4, that the meeting was a game changer with decisions to further protect the wildlife.

The conference was attended by more than 3,500 of delegates, the largest number ever recorded, according to the minister.

"In the coming days, much will be said in reflection on what we have achieved, on what has been said, and on the great debates that took place. As the secretary general of CITES Dr John Scanlon noted that this Conference was a game changer in the 43 year history of CITES," she said.

The CoP17 saw 152 governments taking decisions on 62 species-listing proposals submitted by 64 countries. Some species were added to CITES Appendices for the first time and will come under the organisation's trade controls. These include mammals, marine and timber species, reptiles and amphibians, species of rosewood, devil rays, silky sharks and thresher sharks.

CITES, for the first time, also passed resolutions affecting the helmeted hornbill and snakes, and for the first time, passed resolutions on corruption in relation with wildlife crime.

Molewa said the conference was conducted in the spirit of tolerance and mutual cooperation.

"Our decision to host this conference was informed by our intention to advance issues of sustainable use, community beneficiation, youth involvement and fighting illegal trade. I am happy to report that as a Party to CITES, South Africa is satisfied that our expectations have been met," she added.

The changes to the CITES Appendices, resolutions and decisions will come into force 90 days after the CoP17. CoP18 will be held in 2019 in Sri Lanka. Enditem