Conservation and Inter-Governmental Organization Networking

CITES Parties are increasingly aware of the importance of constant communication and, sometimes, a mutual consultative funcon among inter-governmental bodies. Such networking helps to clarify the various functions of each body in the perspectives of the others. One result of this is a more cost efficient work schedule for each as issues, not centrally relevant to it, are perceived to be more appropriately handled in the context of certain other conventions. As CITES is experiencing major budget constraints, this understanding of the relevance of IGO function priorities is increasingly important.

Relevant examples include major fisheries issues such as those pertaining to sharks. Shark issues are increasingly recognized as most appropriately handled within the business of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a body whose many Parties also participate in CITES. It is within the FAO that the International Plan of Action (IPOA) on Sharks is operant, and the problems of sharks as by-catch are raised and discussed, some with relevance to gear deployment issues. Thus, CITES Parties find it very useful to have FAO decisions, other actions, and draft documents available for their reference when issues concerning the implications of trade effects on sharks that arise in a CITES context. Similarly, CITES Parties are increasingly aware of the relevance to their work of discussions that have been held within the agenda of the Convention on Biological Diversity, or CBD. Although it is important that CITES Parties understand all the implications of trade and trade restrictions on the population status of individual species, they are finding that their work is also increasingly relevant to the health and maintenance of many diverse ecosystems. Recognition and maintenance of biological diversity is of the utmost relevance to sustainable use goals, strategies and practices. Thus, many trade issues are intricately bound up with concerns of the CBD, while the relevant work topics in the two conventions are given different priority by each.

IWMC urges all CITES Parties to make the utmost effort to understand and keep up with the scope of work done by their colleagues in the FAO, the CBD, and the Convention on Migratory Species. Such a comprehensive overview is invaluable when prioritizing the goals, strategies and implementation of actions within CITES, for reasons of cost efficiency, convention relevance, and avoidance of redundant action.