Highlights and images for 8 February 2025

The sixth and final day of the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC78) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) started off in high spirits, with many participants lauding the Convention’s ongoing efforts to team up with the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) on a joint initiative on jaguars. Bearing in mind the successful example of the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative, many felt hopeful that by joining forces, the two conventions will be able to pull off a similar feat in the Americas.

The SC then went on to tick off a large number of agenda items with minor or no amendments: among other things, on nomenclature, higher-taxon listings, possession of specimens of Appendix I-listed species, electronic systems and information technology, and specimens produced through biotechnology. In most cases, this was because these matters were deemed uncontroversial. In others, such as on risk assessment and analysis for border control of CITES-listed species, it was expressly in the interest of time.

Despite the time pressure, some matters still provoked significant discussion. One was the proposal to amend the Rules of Procedure so as to enable online meetings under exceptional circumstances, like the Covid-19 pandemic. Formats were explored for holding hybrid or online meetings, but time zone and internet connectivity issues were raised. Some objected to holding online meetings at all, citing the virtues of face-to-face connections.

Budget matters kept surfacing in different shapes and forms. Some delegates, for instance, stressed that electronic systems and information technology are inhibitively costly for many CITES countries. And Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero stated emphatically that Secretariat involvement in certain activities is subject to the availability of extra-budgetary resources – including the development of simplified guidance on rapid trans-border movements of musical instruments.

The discussion stalled over revisions to the draft guidance on the chain of custody required to demonstrate the legal acquisition of parental/breeding stock. A divide emerged between those who supported the changes prepared by the Secretariat during the meeting and others who argued that the issue was too critical to be decided without further deliberation. This disagreement created tension, highlighting the growing fatigue among everyone in the room.

By the end of the day, the SC had managed to finish nearly its entire 78-item agenda, deferring only five issues for later consideration: the implementation of Resolution 19.2 on Capacity-building; review of Resolutions and Decisions; products containing specimens of Appendix-II orchids; trade in medicinal and aromatic plant species; and orchid specimens exempted through an annotation).

Parties gave a standing ovation for SC Chair Rosemarie Gnam in honor of her deft guidance through the wild flora and fauna (and fungi) of the SC78 Agenda.

She gaveled the meeting to a close at 5:09 pm.