CITES COP 20 marks 50 years since the Convention first entered into
force in 1975. At its core is the question of how wildlife trade will be
managed in the future. This COP needs to focus on declining biodiversity and
how this can be balanced with the real economic, development and socio-cultural
needs of the African continent. Critically, we must remind ourselves that
biodiversity is connected to water availability and quality, health, climate
change, food systems and economics. These sectors are all interconnected, yet
our solutions often remain siloed.
The Parties will consider 54 proposals that will impact over 200 animal
species, either placing them on the Appendices for the first time, changing
their listing from one Appendix to another, or clarifying the scope of their
listing.
Addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and nature’s
decline is complex and requires a more holistic and coordinated approach.
Understanding this complexity is key to making quality decisions at CITES COP
20. Today’s solutions will not necessarily solve tomorrow’s problems.
KEY MESSAGES
Understanding
and addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and nature’s decline
are central to achieving sustainable outcomes for both people and nature. Some
of the key indirect drivers of biodiversity loss include trade, markets, weak
governance, unfit institutions, overconsumption, the separation of people from
nature and the dominance over nature. These interconnected underlying causes
must therefore be addressed in a coordinated and integrated manner. Breaking
down silos and seeking linked solutions is critical. Focusing on a single
intervention without considering its cascading effects can easily worsen the
situation
Sustainable,
safe and legal use of biodiversity is an important intervention for African
countries because it lies at the core of both local and national economies.
This aligns with Target 5 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
(GBF). It also supports cultural and religious beliefs and sustains
livelihoods. Sustainable use strongly reinforces conservation and
benefit-sharing, as neither is viable without the other. Decisions that
undermine sustainable use should therefore be opposed
Listing of species must be informed by context.
In southern Africa, declining elephant habitats increase human–wildlife contact
and conflict. Further, extreme pressure on remaining habitats due to high
elephant densities leads to further degradation. CITES must avoid binary
positions regarding species listings or outright trade bans. Context matters
and the circumstances of each country must be considered.
Governments must ensure transparent, inclusive
and accountable governance systems, supported by institutions that are fit for
purpose and capable of regulating and enforcing sustainable and legal trade.
African
governments must avoid accepting new obligations without corresponding
financing and clear timelines for technical support. Any commitments by African
countries must be matched by predictable, multi-year financing and technology
transfer and must include localized funding to frontline communities.
CITES
decisions are influenced by and implemented within the context of a global economic
system that requires reform
as it was never designed to serve the interests of developing
countries, particularly those in Africa. The CITES convention
needs to tackle the barriers to sustainable and legal trade in species that
this presents.
Sustainable, safe and
legal trade in wild species must priorities people-centered solutions that firmly
uphold equity, land rights and other human rights. This requires
curbing the influence of corporate actors and financial elites while
redistributing power to rights holders whose livelihoods and wellbeing depend
on sustainable, safe, and legal use of wild species.