Page 12 - DIVA 1 2023

international international
is a smaller group, mainly made up of sister was a true display of how countries can and
conventions that all have a mandate to work should work together in pursuit of common
on biodiversity. These meetings are hard work, goals and I am pleased to hear those who
but they are the ultimate decision-making describe CoP19 as ‘landmark’ and ‘historic’.
bodies for the two Conventions and, as such,
they decide our priorities and are the ultimate I went from Panama to Montreal for the CBD
expression of multilateral cooperation, and the COP15 and was honoured to be able to make
ultimate demonstration of how multilateralism a number of interventions communicating
can have impact. At CITES CoP19, it was clear the CITES CoP’s decisions related to the
that the Parties came to Panama knowing that Global Biodiversity Framework and wildlife
action was necessary to combat the declines conservation and on behalf of the Biodiversity
in biodiversity and species populations. The Liaison Group. The adoption of the GBF is a
decisions they took, on marine species for significant achievement as it will shape the
example, were historic. 100 species of sharks way nations will work together to combat and
and rays listed for the first time for regulation, reverse the declines in biodiversity. I think
aimed at halting drops of 70% in 50 years for that CITES will be able to contribute to the
many of these species. Fifty turtle and tortoise global goal to halt human-induced extinction
species, 160 species of amphibians, and 150 of threatened species and reduce the rate of
tree species will be newly regulated as a result extinction of all species tenfold by 2050 and to
of their decisions. These decisions will allow targets 5 and 9 that refer to the wildlife trade,
international trade to continue but only in wild species conservation and indigenous and
ways that are sustainable. They also looked local communities.
at issues of gender – to try to make sure that
the benefits of wildlife trade extend to those Of course, both for the CITES CoP and the
involved in it, irrespective of gender. They CBD COP, the work is now to implement
looked at how CITES can help to limit the the decisions taken in Panama and Montreal
spread of zoonotic diseases and agreed to work respectively but there is no doubt that the Parties
together to support Mexico as it fights to save are taking their responsibilities seriously and
Lions in Maasai the world’s most endangered marine mammal, acting decisively in the interests of biodiversity,
Mara, Kenya the vaquita porpoise. I believe the conference wild species and human wellbeing.
w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h
We are hearing that COP 27 was a resounding the partners to do so. The ICCWC partners Puffin in Inner
failure. What is your opinion? Illegal traffic bring extensive experience and a unique set of Hebrides,
of endangered species is another important mandates and capacity to bear against wildlife Scotland
issue. How does your organization go about crime, and recognize that working under the
fighting this traffic? collaborative banner of ICCWC can yield
CITES Parties goes about it firstly by agreeing more effective results in addressing wildlife
on decisions and resolutions related to crime.
enforcement and wildlife crime at every CoP.
The Parties recognise the serious nature of It provides technical assistance, tools, training,
wildlife crime, including on newer concerns and operational support, to enforcement
such as wildlife crime related to the internet, officials worldwide. It works along the entire
money laundering from environmental crime, criminal justice chain, building the capacity
and corruption. Continuing the theme of of frontline law enforcement in countries and
cooperation and collaboration, CITES is part regions around the world affected by wildlife
of a powerful partnership of five bodies that crime.
make up the International Consortium on
Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). It is a It’s a remarkable example of how by working
coordinated global response to wildlife crime, together, there can be a coordinated response
made up of inter-governmental organizations that brings to bear specialized expertise to
with the global presence, mandates and fight crime that is bringing untold damage to
expertise to provide much needed front-line wildlife, economies, nations and communities.
support and capacity building to address It is the highest priority for all of us to reduce
wildlife crime. The ICCWC partners are the and ultimately eliminate this scourge. We would like
International Criminal Police Organization to express our
(INTERPOL), the United Nations Office Finally, we are starting on a New Year. Do you gratitude to
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World have a New Year’s wish? Sanjay Acharya
Bank Group (WBG), the World Customs Yes! It is a new year and my wish for 2023 is for having
Organization (WCO) and CITES. Established that we join efforts all over the world to address given us the
in 2010, ICCWC is a recognition of the the biodiversity crisis we are confronting by authorization
importance of collaborative and coordinated committing to make the needed changes to to publish his
action to combat wildlife crime and an our lifestyles so we don’t ask more from nature beautiful animal
expression of the commitment from each of than it can give back to us. photos.
w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h