The eighteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP18), also known as the World Wildlife Conference will kick off on Saturday 17 August in Geneva.
Decisions taken in Geneva will have a real and immediate effect on the legislation, regulation, and operating practices across the globe for international trade in species listed on the CITES Appendices. The CoP18 decisions will also have direct impacts on biodiversity, people’s livelihoods, and national economies.
As a leading Chinese responsible NGO, China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF)’s delegation led by the Secretary-General Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, has arrived at the magnificent event city, Geneva. CBCGDF has been actively preparing for the CITES CoP18. According to the meeting secretariat official schedule of side event (https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/cop/18/Schedule%20side%20events%201308.pdf), CBCGDF will formally organize two side event on the date of 17 and 18.
On 17.15-19.00 on August 17th, 2019 @ F- (120), Palexpo / Centre de Congrès: Side Event themed “Infrastructure and Wildlife”
Shrinking natural habitats and the increasingly unsustainable use of natural resources and destruction of habitats, including infrastructure construction presents a major threat to biodiversity. This Side Event focuses on how to minimize negative impacts from the development of infrastructure on biodiversity and develop effective mechanisms to maximize the retention of biodiversity. During this session we will explore multiple mechanisms to reduce the impact of infrastructural development on biodiversity, from assaying and mapping vulnerable or highly diverse areas to avoid destroying key habitats, providing passes and other modes to enable wildlife to bypass infrastructure unimpaired and how to prevent the transmission of illegal trade of wildlife across these increasingly connected regions. We will also discuss how these techniques can be mitigated at multiple levels, from the development of bridges, viaducts, and corridors for species to bypass infrastructure, the prioritization of areas for protection, the applications of technology to detect and monitor trade and the policy and finance instruments that can be used to ensure that high safety standards are implemented to protect biodiversity and ensure sustainable planning at all stages of development.
On 19.00-21.00, August 18th, 2019 @ E- (120), Palexpo / Centre de Congrès: side event themed “To Create a Sustainable Future for Pangolins Globally”.
CBCGDF is committed to pangolin protection using a wide range of different methods. To engage more widely we use social media and websites to raise public awareness, engage people's attention and reduce the consumption of pangolins. This side event focuses on the current status, major issues, and barriers to preserving pangolins. We call for a halt in the use of Pangolins and calling on the Pangolin to become an icon for the importance of protection of all species, and discuss how to apply advanced technologies, and new methodologies for the protection of endangered species, and combat illegal trade. This Side Event will provide a platform for professionals and delegates from around the world to freely communicate and share their best experience and practices on how to create a sustainable future for pangolins. This event consists of keynotes and panel discussions.
These two side events now have openly invited you (or the ones you know who are around) if are interested in joining, to give live speeches related with the above subjects or attend them as spectators. Please feel free to contact Ms. Wang (v52@cbcgdf.org). The news will also be updated as the event goes on.
The delegation has arrived in Geneva. (Photo credit: CBCGDF)
(Photo credit: CITES)
By / Niu Jingmei, Wang Yanqing