SSN CITES CoP19 DIGEST
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19th CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES
14 – 25 November 2022
Panama City, Panama
The CITES Conference of Parties (CoP19) is taking place against the backdrop of an urgent climate and biodiversity crisis that threatens to fundamentally alter life on Earth as we know it. The question of whether CITES can more effectively address the threat posed to biodiversity by rampant wildlife exploitation will be key to the deliberations taking place in Panama 14-25 November.
Parties at CITES CoP19 will consider protection of high-profile species including: the common hippopotamus, African elephant, Southern white rhino, glass frogs, a large number of freshwater turtles species, and hammerhead and requiem sharks, as well as many lesser-known species. In total, 52 proposals covering over 600 species will be considered, along with 7 proposals to apply international trade controls to tree species targeted for the timber trade.
As working documents, the Parties will consider increased enforcement and implementation efforts for pangolins, seahorses, cheetahs, marine turtles and jaguars, among other species. The Parties will also be considering how CITES can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate the risk of future outbreaks of wildlife-borne diseases, including through the incorporation of One Health (people, animals and the environment) measures. In addition, Parties will review the CITES national ivory action plans process and consider several documents from countries in Southern Africa that would restrict voting by Parties at CoPs and include livelihood issues and socio-economic considerations in listing decisions. Finally, the Parties will discuss enforcement against illegal trade, domestic markets for wildlife, capacity-building and support for biodiversity-rich lower income countries, and other important issues.