IUCN will attend the meeting and provide scientific and technical information to CITES on species status. This latest conference falls during the International Year of Biodiversity and will contribute significantly to efforts for conserving biodiversity and stopping the current rate of biodiversity loss. CITES came into force in 1975 and there are now 175 parties to the conference.
Key Issues:
• “CITES is vital in the fight to ensure that species are not threatened by international trade,” says Sue Mainka, Head of IUCN’s Science and Learning and Head of IUCN’s delegation to CITES. “Through tough laws and regulations, international trade in endangered species can be managed sustainably. Decisions taken at CITES are significant as they not only influence the state of our environment but also our economy and people’s livelihoods.”
• “Sustainable use of species is the key to maintaining community livelihoods and a strong economy while also ensuring that species are not threatened as a result,” says Jane Smart, Director, Biodiversity Conservation Group. “This is particularly significant to remember in 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.”
• “CITES COP15 will address a number of critical issues relating to the international trade of species, but many will focus on marine issues,” says Simon Stuart, chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission. “The number of marine species affected by illegal, unmanaged and unreported fishing, as well as bycatch, is contributing to many species such as sharks and commercial fish becoming threatened.”
Photos/Audio/Video/Statements can be downloaded from the Media Section at www.iucn.org/media
