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international international

Photos : Copyright Sanjay Acharya

Aletsch glacier the Parties, at their meetings every 2-3 years, people do not seem to care. What are the
in Swiss Alps, called the Conference of the Parties, and implications of this, and what can be done to
shrinking rapidly using the best scientific evidence, who decide remedy it?
Interview with CITES Secretary-General owing to the if a plant or animal species is threatened by We are seeing an alarming drop in biodiversity
ivonne higuero climate crisis international trade and the level of protection and one in eight of all animal and plant species
required so their survival in the wild is not are threatened with extinction. There are many
at risk. So, through this global treaty, almost threats to wildlife, of which overexploitation
You might remember Ms Ivonne Higuero from from P3 to D2, at UNEP in Nairobi and Geneva all the countries of the world have agreed to and illegal wildlife trade are main ones. It’s a
the time she was the Director of the Economic as well as UNECE. My career focus has been be bound to ensure the international wildlife worrying picture but I believe the great majority
Cooperation and Trade Division for the United on natural resource economics and policy, trade is sustainable, legal and traceable. of people do care. More and more I am seeing
Nations Economic Commission for Europe. ecosystems and biodiversity conservation and evidence at the international and national
In 2018, she was appointed to the position sustainable use and environment and trade. My As Secretary-General, I ensure the Parties levels of groups of people concerned about the
of Secretary General of the Convention on work experience of almost three decades, my receive the best services possible from the survival of wild plants and animals. Let me give
International Trade in Endangered Species biology, economics, and trade background and Secretariat and oversee the implementation of the example of the youth. We are celebrating
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It is not former position as focal point for a number of our programme of work as decided by the Parties World Wildlife Day on 3 March and around
an easy job to defend Endangered Species of multilateral environmental agreements have at their CoP. We provide technical assistance, the world young people are expressing their
Wild Fauna and Flora in these days. During provided me with the knowledge and experience capacity-building and advice to support fear of a world without wildlife – for example,
the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 she noted necessary to lead the work of the Secretariat as the Parties to implement the Convention in Singapore and Malaysia a group of young
that illegal wildlife trade not only helps to CITES Secretary-General. I am honoured to effectively. We prepare the documentation for people are organizing a Southeast-Asia-focused
destroy habitats, but that these habitats create be the first woman and the first person from a the governing and scientific bodies’ meetings, symposium and will discuss wildlife trade,
a safety barrier for humans that can prevent developing country selected as CITES Secretary- organise and service them. I work with Parties species recovery, and ecosystem restoration.
pathogens from animals passing themselves on General and I am honoured and fortunate to at all levels to support them in their efforts The youth are our hope for the future, and they
to people. We were curious to learn more about work with such an effective convention and with to comply with and enforce the Convention. expect us to address the threats to wildlife. Our
her work so we went knocking on her door. The enthusiastic team members. We also work closely with partners, such as World Wildlife Day website, www.wildlifeday.
floor is yours Secretary-General Ms Higuero. other multilateral environmental conventions, org, will highlight all the events around the
You are the Secretary General of the UN bodies, indigenous peoples and local world on 3 March. There is of course much
Could you please tell us a little about your Convention on International Trade in communities, intergovernmental organizations, work to be done and we need to continue to
background? Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora non-governmental organizations, and industry, build capacity and enforce the rules so that
I am a Panamanian national with an (CITES). What exactly do you do, and how do and by joining forces, we support the Parties to the scientific, legal and enforcement tools are
undergraduate degree in biology from the you and your organization decide if a species meet their obligations under the Convention used to halt overexploitation, illegal trade and
University of Missouri and a master’s degree is endangered? and achieve its goals. corruption that drives species loss. It will take
in natural resource economics and policy from The Secretary-General is the head of the CITES a joint effort, with every one of us playing our
Duke University in the United States. I have Secretariat, which services the 184 signatory We hear from time to time that species are part. That’s actually the theme of this year’s UN
worked for the United Nations for 28 years, Parties, including the European Union. It is disappearing, but for some strange reason, World Wildlife Day, which CITES organizes.

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