European Union

Highlights for Tuesday, 20 August 2019 A rhino statue is awarded to individuals involved in wildlife law enforcement. Committee II did not get their requested disco ball but managed to rock and roll through the items assigned to its agenda. Many parties reaffirmed the importance of demand reduction in combating illegal wildlife trade. With livelihoods and rural communities gaining greater attention within CITES, Committee II accepted the potential focus on livelihoods of indigenous peoples and rural and local communities in a future World Wildlife Day.The Committee also expressed support for youth engagement in CITES, with many parties sharing their own experiences.On guidance for making legal acquisition findings, parties recognized that non-binding guiding principles in the draft resolution would be an important resource for management authorities, while others appreciated that the resolution clearly identifies tasks for importing states.In Committee I, there was talk about the importance of “singing for love," as delegates addressed the plight of songbirds. The US highlighted the declining numbers of songbirds due to multiple threats. She mentioned the illegal trade for singing competitions and gave an example of a recent seizure of songbirds in the US bound for such competitions. Therefore, she said, a further study on the trade and conservation status of songbirds was needed, though many species are not currently CITES-listed. She thus encouraged parties to consider Appendix III listings. Benin, with Senegal and Ukraine, expressed strong support of the songbird document and its proposed workshop. Bird Life International echoed this support, stating that proactive work has been done for other non-CITES listed species in the past which can help inform conservation management. Bird Life International added that action should not be delayed where species status is already known. Chair Rod Hay struck a working group, chaired by the EU, to review and revise draft decisions proposed by the US.On great apes, many highlighted the serious threats facing populations, including from the trade in exotic pets that are advertised openly online. The Committee established a drafting group, chaired by the US, to review reporting obligations on great apes to the Standing Committee and Conference of Parties.Malaysia requested all parties to adopt legislation and controls to eliminate poaching of helmeted hornbill and trade in parts, calling on consumer states especially to monitor markets and take enforcement action as needed. Committee I established a working group to review the proposed amendments.On African cherry, Plants Committee Chair Sinclair stated that specific funding has not been secured for a proposed workshop but that the work could be incorporated into a regional meeting in Africa. The EU, as a main importer of African cherry bark, stated his support of this document and the continued work on data collection for more sustainable management of the species. Committee I agreed to the document with minor amendments.Committee I continued meeting into the evening, where it began to cover species listing proposals based on periodic review. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from CITES CoP18. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Committee I: Species-Specific Matters Discussions continue for species-specific matters. Cecilia Lougheed, Canada Nestor Waliwa, Central African Republic Augustin Ngumbi Amuri, Democratic Republic of the Congo Julie Sherman, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Kenneth Er, Singapore Klamon Haktouin, Chad Volodymyr Domashlinets, Ukraine Ian Redmond, International Primate Protection League Calvin Bernard, Guyana José Alberto Alvarez Lemus, Cuba Charles Barber, World Resources Institute John Bennett, International Association of Violin and Bow Makers Committee II: Interpretation and Implementation Matters Delegates in plenary as the discussions continue. Patience Gandiwa, Zimbabwe Ida Sletsjøe, Norway Layaly Camara, Guinea Obaid Ali Al Shamsi, United Arab Emirates Peter Fredrick Moll, World Leaders of Today Cécile Tang, Youth for Wildlife Conservation Hesiquio Benítez Díaz, Mexico Carlos Mario Orrego Vásquez, Costa Rica Chair Craig Hoover, US Sasikumar Cherukulappurathu, India Ilaria Di Silvestre, Eurogroup for Animals Lisa Bradbury, Switzerland Craig Potter, San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards The Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards are presented to persons who have engaged in one or more exemplary law enforcement actions to protect species of wildlife listed in the Appendices of the Convention. Will Travers, Species Survival Network (SSN) D.J. Schubert, Animal Welfare Institute CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero Recipients of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards Around the Venue Melanie Virtue, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) Secretariat, speaks with Karen Baird, Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and Juney Ward, Samoa. Delegates from South Africa. Delegates from the Russian Federation. Delegates between sessions. Delegates from Bangladesh consult informally. CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero speaks with a delegate.

Highlights for Tuesday, 20 August 2019 Nurse shark from Mexico. Photo by Marcelo Halpern The third session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) convened in New York on Tuesday, with delegates meeting in an open informal working group, as well as behind closed doors in two “informal-informals.” During the informal working group, they discussed capacity building and the transfer of marine technology (CB&TT), focusing on specific aspects related to the objectives of CB&TT, cooperation, and modalities. Highlights of the day include: Informal-informals on the modalities for CB&TT, including whether it will be voluntary or mandatory in nature; Informal-informals on area-based management tools (ABMTs), including aspects related to decision-making, such as the establishment of ABMTs and their relationship with relevant existing instruments; and Discussions in plenary on the objectives of and cooperation under CB&TT. In the afternoon, IGC President Lee offered a brief summary of the informal-informals held during the morning, focusing on CB&TT modalities. She highlighted, inter alia, that participants had: expressed diverging views in favor of CB&TT being provided on a voluntary or mandatory basis; elaborated on the circumstances under which CB&TT would be voluntary and mandatory, respectively; and exchanged opinions about “what we are trying to achieve here” and whether the new treaty should reflect “what is in UNCLOS” or go beyond the Convention. In the corridors, some delegates found the new format refreshing while others expressed concerns about the new closed-door negotiating modalities, noting that, “Limiting participation at a time where transparency and public engagement have become a central tenet across the global political spectrum does not seem to be a step in the right direction.” For more details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from BBNJ IGC-3. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Photos in the corridors Informal Working Group IGC President Rena Lee, Singapore, convenes the IGC informal working group on CB&TT L-R: Miguel de Serpa Soares, Secretary-General of the IGC, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel; IGC President Rena Lee, Singapore; and Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, Director, UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS) Teresa Cruz Sardiñas, Cuba Marc Richir, EU Yolannie Cerrato, Honduras Katie Hamilton, Australia Ali Nasimfar, Iran Amanda Richards, New Zealand Fakasoa Tealei, Tuvalu Elizabeth Kim, US Babajide Alo, Nigeria Fuad Bateh, Palestine, on behalf of the G-77/China Sergey Leonidchenko, Russian Federation Huang Yingni, China Members of the High Seas Alliance in consultation

Highlights for Monday, 19 August 2019 Sharks, fish, and a sea cucumber welcome delegates to the venue as the third day of CITES CoP18 continues. In resuming the meeting, Committee II Chair Craig Hoover noted that he would refrain from singing “to the relief of all.” He then moved on swiftly through a packed agenda that the Committee tackled diligently over three sessions, including an evening one. During the discussion on Guidance materials, activities, and tools aimed at enhancing Parties’ capacity to regulate bushmeat trade many, including EU, Norway, China, and the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) welcomed the use of the term “wild meat.” The US cautioned that the Convention should not lose sight of the negative impact of international commercial demand for wild meat.Most of the morning session and part of the afternoon session in Committee II covered agenda items related to the role of rural communities and their engagement in CITES processes. Canada highlighted ways they involve rural and indigenous local communities in CITES and other processes. She proposed that CITES issue a notification asking parties how they involve such communities in CITES processes. The EU supported the Secretariat’s proposed amendment to include rural communities in the CITES national delegation. The Namibian Association of Community-Based Natural Resource Management Support Organisations (NACSO) emphasized that rural communities are the first line of defense against poaching and their involvement is essential to conserving wildlife. The need to harmonize the terminology was also addressed. A very long discussion, addressing some of the proposed amendments by China, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to the CITES and livelihoods and other relevant resolutions, focused on whether and how to take into consideration the impact of species listing proposals on rural communities and their livelihoods. Chair Hoover struck a working group to address amendments to relevant decisions and resolutions.Committee I continued its discussions by addressing several marine species, including marine turtles, sharks, and rays. On eels, the US proposed text to clarify that traceability measures would apply to both live and dead eels. Algeria noted the country’s lack of expertise in conducting an inventory and requested technical support from the Animals Committee.On humphead wrasse, Japan drew attention to how illegal fishing activities undermine the ongoing legal trade and management work for the species. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) drew attention to the ranching practices of Indonesia, stating that there is potential for sustainable management, but that the purpose code R should not be used for this trade and practice for the species.On sharks, Peru, supported by Gabon and opposed by Japan and India, called for strengthening monitoring and improving identification of shark fin in transit. The Committee established a working group, chaired by New Zealand.Peru then introduced the document on Titicaca water frogs, noting that this species faces increasing threats from illegal international trade, despite extensive regional conservation efforts. Costa Rica, on behalf of multiple Latin American parties, appraised the conservation efforts and conveyed strong support for the document. The US, with Canada supporting, added this might be better addressed with bilateral work considering that the frog is already listed in Appendix I.Committee II reconvened in the evening to discuss agenda items on compliance and enforcement. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage and a summary and analysis report from CITES CoP18. Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. Committee I: Species-Specific Matters Plenary is full as discussions on species-specific matters continue. Elisante Ombeni Leguma, Tanzania Kim Friedman, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Mateus José Mutemba, Mozambique Shonisani "Shoni" Munzhedzi, South Africa Chair Rod Hay, New Zealand Mark Jones, Born Free Foundation Eugène Lapointe, IWMC World Conservation Trust Patrick Omondi, Kenya Daniel Fernando, Sri Lanka Carla Louise Mousset Moumbolou, Gabon Carole Lanteri, Monaco Kathleen Taituave, Samoa Monica Biondo, Foundation Franz Weber Ilham Mohamed, Maldives Committee II: Interpretation and Implementation Matters Delegates during the discussions. Chair Craig Hoover, US Ji Wei, China Juan Francisco García Vasquez, Guatemala Chantal Robichaud, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Awidya Santikajaya, Indonesia Ndumiso Nkambule, eSwatini Elly Hamunyela, Namibia Jessica Maria Gálvez-Durand Besnard, Peru Germán Proffen, Argentina Gladys Njoroge, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association Eugene Mutangana, Rwanda Juan Enrique Iglesias García, Ecuador Around the Venue Michael Williams, CITES Secretariat, facilitates a press conference with CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero; Committee I Chair Rod Hay, New Zealand; and Committee II Chair Craig Hoover, US Jonathan Barzdo, Independent Consultant Kumara Wakjira, Ethiopia, speaks with delegates. CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero (center) poses with delegates for a photo. Delegates from Indonesia speak informally. Abdukadir Maskaev, Tajikistan, speaks with delegates. Delegates from Niger share a moment. Delegates speak informally between sessions. Aurélie Flore Koumba Pambo and Edwige Koumby Missambo, Gabon A delegate visits the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) webpage.

Highlights for Monday, 19 August 2019 Bigfin reef squid from the Philippines. Photo by Marcelo Halpern The third session of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) began in New York on Monday. For this meeting, delegates have, as a basis for their negotiations, a draft text of an agreement containing treaty language, prepared by IGC President Rena Lee (Singapore) and the UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.In opening statements, both IGC President Rena Lee and Under Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel Miguel de Serpa Soares pointed to the recent Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), noting that BBNJ can be a part of “turning the tide” on global biodiversity loss.As delegates exchanged general views and began an in-depth consideration of the draft text, the highlights of the first day include, inter alia: Divergence in understanding on fundamental issues, including the timeframe for the conclusion of discussions on the ILBI; Agreement on the need to have an article on “General Objectives,” separate from objectives relating to specific aspects of the 2011 package; Divergence on the application of the instrument, and the need for a separate article on sovereign immunity, given that this is reflected in UNCLOS; and Discussions on the future instrument’s relationship with existing instruments and frameworks. In their general statements, several supported the common heritage of humankind as an overarching principle governing marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Many also highlighted the importance of capacity building and the transfer of marine technology to operationalize the future instrument.In the corridors, delegates and participants exchanged ideas on the potential trade-off between the timely conclusion of the IGC considerations and the quality of the new treaty. While some cautioned against “self-imposed” deadlines, others underscored the urgency of the issues under discussion, stressing that “time matters.” Most agreed, however, that informal deliberations throughout the session will allow for fine-tuning the text and hopefully bridging existing divergent opinions.For more details on the day’s negotiations and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin. IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from BBNJ IGC-3. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF. Photos by IISD/ENB | Francis Dejon For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page. View of the opening plenary L-R: Dais during the opening session with Miguel de Serpa Soares, Secretary-General of the IGC, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel; IGC President Rena Lee, Singapore; Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, Director, UN Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea (UNDOALOS); Alice Hicuburundi, UNDOALOS; and Charlotte Salpin, UNDOALOS IGC President Rena Lee, Singapore Miguel de Serpa Soares, Secretary-General of the IGC, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and UN Legal Counsel Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, UNDOALOS Feda Abdelhady-Nasser, Palestine, on behalf of the G-77/China Perks Ligoya, Malawi, on behalf of the Least Developed Countries Andreas Papaconstantinou, EU Martin Mainero and Fernando Marani, Argentina, reviewing draft text Janine Coye-Felson, Belize, on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Carlos Mata, Uruguay, on behalf of the Like-Minded Latin American Countries Essam Yassin Mohammed, Eritrea Yang Liu, China Juliette Babb-Riley, Barbados, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Juan Cuéllar Torres, Colombia, on behalf of UNCLOS non-parties Delegates from Chile consulting Evan Bloom, US Yedla Umasankar, India Mohammad Kurniadi Koba, Indonesia Anne Christine Brusendorff, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Peggy Kalas, High Seas Alliance Rishy Bukoree, Mauritius L-R: Muhammad Taufan, Haryo Nugroho, and Sora Lokita, Indonesia Informal Working Group on Cross-cutting Issues Lionel Yee, Singapore Hwang Junshik, Republic of Korea Diedre Mills, Jamaica Yocasta Valenzuela, Dominican Republic Ma. Angela Ponce, the Philippines Luis Oña Garcés, Ecuador Side Event presented by Greenpeace and High Seas Alliance: A Strong Global Ocean Treaty, Javier Bardem is onboard, are you? L-R: Farah Yasmin Obaidullah, Women4Oceans; Sofia Tsenikli, Greenpeace International; Javier Bardem, Actor and environmental activist; Sandra Schöttner, Greenpeace Germany; and Jennifer Jacquet, New York University Javier Bardem, Actor and environmental activist Jennifer Jacquet, New York University