citescop17

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on this page: headlines related: cites editing: []

The [|17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17)] takes place in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hashtags: [|#COP17] [|#CITES]
 * September 24-October 5**

This is the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES held on the African continent since CITES came into force in July 1975, but it will the first held on the continent since 2000.

Livestreaming
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[] [] [] http://www.citescop17jhb.co.za [|www.twitter.com/CITES] [|www.facebook.com/CITES] [|www.youtube.com/c/CITES] [|www.flickr.com/CITES] and []
 * Key Links **

Questions
How do we watch archived video? Are press conferences streamed live? What is the event hashtag? Are there photos or artwork with a Creative Commons attribution license available? How is the CITES CoP host venue selected? Does [|@CITES] maintain a public Twitter list of participants?

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cop17

Headlines
[] http://phys.org/news/2016-09-cites-species.html

Ivory
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/02/worlds-nations-agree-elephant-ivory-markets-must-close http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/japans-dirty-ivory-secrets-2075283

Elephants
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/03/bid-for-stronger-protection-for-all-african-elephants-defeated-at-wildlife-summit https://twitter.com/CITES/status/782923966247755778

Sharks
Silky Sharks https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/17/prop/060216/E-CoP17-Prop-42.pdf http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?280010

Lions
https://www.facebook.com/Ulinzi-Africa-Foundation-379643615553301/

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Lions are currently listed as Appendix II, with their numbers as low as approximately 15,000 – 20,000 throughout the entire African continent.

Botswana’s Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Tsekedi Khama appealed for countries to support CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Proposal 4 to uplist the endangered African lion to Appendix I, has been welcomed by Animal Defenders International (ADI).

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http://www.sapeople.com/2016/10/01/shock-lions-may-not-listed-appendix-1-endangered-species

Reactions: "this annotation is not set in stone, it is open to being amended in any future cop." ...That means South Africans will have to do everything they can to fight the canned hunting industry and save their lions before the next cop. for now, wild lions appear to be safe, but the canned hunting and captive lion breeding industry seems to have scraped through. Any trade in lion parts from captive lions for commercial purposes will not be stopped, and South Africa maintains the ability to manage their own quotas.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=591420904375570&id=379643615553301

https://www.facebook.com/Ulinzi-Africa-Foundation-379643615553301/

https://www.facebook.com/379643615553301/photos/a.380560755461587.1073741828.379643615553301/591408751043452/?type=3&theater

Chair notes the establishment of a CITES African lion task force. Lion range states and enforcement bodies will be invited to join.

The recommendation is to keep lions listed on Appendix II. To propose a zero quota on export of lion bones from wild lions, and to establish annual quotas for lion bones from lions in captive breeding facilities.

**//Proposal 4://** Transfer all African populations from Appendix II to I

**//Parties://** Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, the Niger, Nigeria and Togo ADI **SUPPORTS** proposal 4 of numerous countries to include all lion populations in Appendix I noting:
 * The African lion is **red Listed as vulnerable** but endangered over much of its range and overall declining on The International Union for Conservation of Nature.
 * **African population estimated at 18,726-31,394**; has been reduced by around 43% over past 21 years.
 * **Projected decline of 50%** for populations in West, Central and East Africa in next two decades.
 * **Threats** include indiscriminate killing, trophy hunting, habitat loss, lack of prey and trade in lion parts. These are causing detrimental impact on populations.
 * **Trade** in 2005-2014: 29,214 items; 4,387 wild-source exports for hunting trophy and 1,701 for commercial purposes; 7,979 lion skeletal parts (e.g. bones, skeletons) exported, of which 1,468 were wild-source; this trade is significant and increasing.
 * **Meets criteria for Appendix I** - ongoing and projected decline in population size in the wild; small and declining size of national populations/subpopulations; affected by international trade that is or may be detrimental.

Background
The Conference of the Parties (CoP) to CITES is the ultimate decision-making body of the Convention and comprises all its Parties. It is also known as the ‘World Wildlife Conference’.

At each regular meeting of the CoP, Parties submit proposals based on an agreed set of biological and trade criteria to help determine whether a species should be included in Appendices I or II or to amend the listing of a species in these two Appendices. Proposals are discussed and then submitted for decision.

The CoP is attended by designated government officials coming from multiple different ministries, such as those responsible for environment, fisheries, forestry, agriculture etc. or foreign affairs They take part in discussions based upon their respective countries' position on particular proposals and decisions. Regular meetings of the CITES CoP takes place every three years.

Every three years, the rules which govern CITES are debated and agreed on at its Conference of the Parties (CoP). Prior to each CoP, Parties can submit proposals for amending the three Appendices or existing resolutions or proposals to adopt new decisions and resolutions as well as to amend the rules of procedure. The cut-off date for countries to submit proposals for inclusion on the #CoP17 agenda was 27 April this year. The provisional agenda and the list of Proposals offers a good indication of some of the key issues that are likely to be debated at the Convention. At the CoP, the Proposals are discussed in Committees and then decided upon, by consensus or by a vote, if there is no consensus. Most of the Proposals involve requests to either elevate or demote species from one Appendix to another. Decisions are taken on every Proposal in Committees. They go to Plenary for formal adoption but can only be reopened if one third of Parties request it to be opened. Decisions taken at #CoP17 will find their way into legislation, regulation, and operating practices across the globe.
 * How does CITES CoP work?**

Wiki
biodiversity wildlife wildlifecrime wildsouthafrica

Embedded Tweets
https://twitter.com/CITES/status/779298715949527040 https://twitter.com/annaoposa/status/780067171007430656 Dear [|@CITES], In the next COP pls remove plastic cups. Unnecessary waste. Make delegates bring reusable bottles. Thank you. [|#COP17] [|#CITES]

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Twitter
[|@CITES] [|@CITESCoP17] [|@annaoposa] [|@IISDRS] [|@blueGreenTweet] https://twitter.com/capinafrica https://twitter.com/action4ifaw https://twitter.com/Blood_Lions https://twitter.com/flauna_za https://twitter.com/lionwhispererSA https://twitter.com/GlobalMarchLion https://twitter.com/ZSLconservation https://twitter.com/USFWSIntl https://twitter.com/SprepChannel https://twitter.com/kimfriedmans

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Background
What is CITES CoP? The Conference of the Parties (CoP) to CITES is the ultimate decision-making body of the Convention and comprises all its Parties. It is also known as the ‘World Wildlife Conference’. At each regular meeting of the CoP, Parties submit proposals based on an agreed set of biological and trade criteria to help determine whether a species should be included in Appendices I or II or to amend the listing of a species in these two Appendices. Proposals are discussed and then submitted for decision. The CoP is attended by designated government officials coming from multiple different ministries, such as those responsible for environment, fisheries, forestry, agriculture etc. or foreign affairs They take part in discussions based upon their respective countries' position on particular proposals and decisions. Regular meetings of the CITES CoP takes place every three years. The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) took place in Bangkok, Thailand in 2013. The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (#CoP17) will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 24 September to 05 October 2016 where the date and venue of the next regular meeting will be determined. 6. How does CITES CoP work? Every three years, the rules which govern CITES are debated and agreed on at its Conference of the Parties (CoP). Prior to each CoP, Parties can submit proposals for amending the three Appendices or existing resolutions or proposals to adopt new decisions and resolutions as well as to amend the rules of procedure. The cut-off date for countries to submit proposals for inclusion on the #CoP17 agenda was 27 April this year. The provisional agenda and the list of Proposals offers a good indication of some of the key issues that are likely to be debated at the Convention. At the CoP, the Proposals are discussed in Committees and then decided upon, by consensus or by a vote, if there is no consensus. Most of the Proposals involve requests to either elevate or demote species from one Appendix to another. Decisions are taken on every Proposal in Committees. They go to Plenary for formal adoption but can only be reopened if one third of Parties request it to be opened. Decisions taken at #CoP17 will find their way into legislation, regulation, and operating practices across the globe.

Background
South Africa offered to host CoP17 at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Bangkok, March 2013), which was accepted by acclamation. Following discussions with the South African authorities and the finalization of an open bid process, the host city was announced through a joint media release on 19 June, 2015.

The South African Minister for Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, and the CITES Secretary-General, John E. Scanlon, met at the CoP17 venue on 11 September, 2015, together with the Executive Director of the Sandton Convention Center, Matifadza Nyazema, and officials from the City of Johannesburg to discuss preparations for the meeting.

Media Releases
[|100 days]

Meeting Information

 * [|Provisional agenda and working documents]
 * [|Proposals for amendment of Appendices I and II]
 * [|CITES Secretariat recommendations on proposals]
 * [|Information documents]
 * [|In-session documents]
 * [|Summary records]
 * [|Provisional list of participants] (as of 14 September 2016)
 * [|Information for Participants]
 * [|Guidelines for the Visitor category]
 * [|Side events and meeting room reservation]
 * Exhibition space reservation
 * [|Hotel information and booking codes] - updated on 1 September.
 * [|General information on the import of goods into the Republic oif South Africa]
 * [|Transportation & Directions from O.R. Tambo International Airport]
 * [|CoP17 Tour brochure] - prepaired by the DEA, SA.

Notifications
 * [|Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties]
 * [|Financial support for the Sponsored Delegates Project]
 * [|Application form for financial support]
 * [|Updated logistical informaition]

Deadlines
 * [|Key dates for CoP17]

CITES Media Releases
 * [|Largest-ever World Wildlife Conference opens in Johannesburg with calls for changes to protection levels of 500 species of wild animals and plants]
 * [|CITES and CBD Parties jointly prepare for key global meetings]
 * [|CITES Secretariat presents its recommendations on proposals to amend the CITES Appendices]
 * [|Welcoming remarks by CITES Secretary-General for Regional Preparatory meetings for CITES CoP17 and CBD COP13]
 * [|Current rules on commercial international trade in elephant ivory under CITES and Proposals to CITES CoP17]

General Media
 * [|South African Minister of Environmental Affairs signs host country agreement for CITES COP17]
 * [|South Africa: Minister Edna Molewa Discusses Preparations for Cites COP17]
 * [|Johannesburg host meeting on wildlife protection across Africa]
 * [|S. Africa to hold int'l meeting on wildlife protection in Africa]
 * [|SA to host next CITES conference]

Other links
 * [|Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg]
 * [|South African Tourism]
 * [|Department of Environmental Affairs]
 * [|General information - Sandton city shopping centre]

PRESS RELEASE =CITES Secretariat presents its recommendations on proposals to amend the CITES Appendices - CITES #CoP17= https://cites.org/eng/news/pr/CITES_Secretariat_presents_its_recommendations_on_proposals_to_amend_the_CITES_Appendices_23082016Geneva, 23 August, 2016: The upcoming seventeenth meeting of the[|Conference of the Parties to CITES] (Johannesburg, South Africa, 24 September - 5 October 2016) will be considering 62 proposals to increase or decrease controls on international trade in wildlife and wildlife products, submitted by 64 Parties from around the world. In total close to 500 species may be affected by these proposed changes. Amongst the species involved are African elephant, white rhinoceros, lion, pangolins,silky and thresher sharks, devil rays, as well as many species of rosewood, crocodiles, birds, frogs, lizards, turtles, and other animals and plants. As required by the [|text of the Convention], the CITES Secretariat has just released its own [|recommendations to the 182 Parties to CITES] concerning these proposals. Its recommendations are based upon the agreed criteria for amendments to the Appendices as set out in CITES Resolutions, and in particular [|Resolution 9.24 (Rev. CoP16)]. As instructed by the Parties, the Secretariat consulted bodies concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of marine species and timber species about these proposals. Thirteen inter-governmental bodies responded, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which convened an Expert Advisory Panel over five days to examine the proposals related to commercially-exploited aquatic species against relevant criteria. The full text of the FAO Panel’s report and the responses from other inter-governmental bodies have also been released on the [|CITES website].

Governments will draw upon these evaluations and recommendations to make their own decisions about which proposals should be adopted and which rejected. The CITES Secretariat has now also provided its comments on the 45 documents submitted by Parties to CoP17. These documents do not include those generated through the post CoP16 intersessional process of which there are well over one hundred. The Secretariat’s comments have been incorporated within the relevant document posted on the [|CITES website].

“CITES Parties now have comprehensive appraisals and recommendations on these amendment proposals at their disposal” said CITES Secretary-General John E. Scanlon. “The debates at CITES CoP17 – the World Wildlife Conference, are certain to be rich and varied. They will be supported by the best scientific advice that is available, noting that the CITES CoP is a sovereign body that will take its own decisions, including, if necessary, through a vote” he added. See also the Secretariat's Conclusions and Recommendations in [|CoP Doc. 88.1 Annex 1]

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Artwork / Cue Yourself
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Videos https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cop17

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