World Wildlife Day 2023: Why this day and the underlying CITES agreement are significant

Introduction

Wildlife is an essential component of our planet's biodiversity, playing a critical role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and providing a range of ecosystem services that are vital to human well-being. However, the world's wildlife faces numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade. In response to these challenges, World Wildlife Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and promote actions that can help protect endangered species and their habitats. This day coincides with the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973, which regulates international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure their survival in the wild. In this context, this topic will explore why World Wildlife Day is significant and how the underlying CITES agreement plays a critical role in protecting wildlife and promoting sustainable practices.

Why is World Wildlife Day marked?

World Wildlife Day is marked to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and to promote actions that can help protect endangered species and their habitats. This day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 to coincide with the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973.

The main objective of World Wildlife Day is to celebrate the beauty and diversity of wild animals and plants and to recognize the importance of wildlife in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem. It also aims to raise awareness about the threats facing wildlife, such as habitat loss, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade.

World Wildlife Day serves as a reminder that the survival of wildlife and ecosystems is in our hands, and that we must take action to protect them for future generations. It provides an opportunity to educate the public about the importance of conservation efforts, promote sustainable practices, and support policies that protect endangered species and their habitats.

By marking World Wildlife Day, we can help to inspire people around the world to take action to protect wildlife and preserve the natural world for future generations.

What is the CITES?

CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the wild. The agreement was adopted on March 3, 1973, and currently has 183 member countries.

CITES regulates trade in over 38,000 species of plants and animals, including live animals, their products, and derivatives. The agreement works by placing restrictions on the international trade of species listed under its three appendices, with Appendix I being the most restrictive and Appendix III being the least restrictive. Species listed under Appendix I are considered to be the most endangered and are subject to a complete ban on international trade, while species listed under Appendix II are subject to regulation to ensure that their trade does not threaten their survival in the wild.

 

CITES also provides a framework for member countries to work together to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species. The agreement includes provisions for monitoring and reporting on trade in listed species, and member countries are required to adopt and enforce national legislation to implement the agreement.

Overall, CITES plays a critical role in protecting endangered species from overexploitation and illegal trade and promoting sustainable practices that help protect wildlife and their habitats.

How does CITES work?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) works by regulating international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure their survival in the wild. The agreement currently has 183 member countries and regulates trade in over 38,000 species of plants and animals.

CITES works by placing restrictions on the international trade of species listed under its three appendices, with Appendix I being the most restrictive and Appendix III being the least restrictive. The species listed under Appendix I are considered to be the most endangered and are subject to a complete ban on international trade. Species listed under Appendix II are subject to regulation to ensure that their trade does not threaten their survival in the wild, and trade in species listed under Appendix III is subject to regulations implemented by individual member countries.

To regulate international trade in listed species, CITES requires member countries to issue permits or certificates for trade in these species, which must be obtained before any international trade takes place. Member countries are also required to adopt and enforce national legislation to implement the agreement and to report on their progress in implementing the agreement.

CITES also provides a framework for member countries to work together to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species. The agreement includes provisions for monitoring and reporting on trade in listed species, and member countries are required to cooperate with each other in enforcing the agreement and combating illegal trade.

Overall, CITES works by regulating international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure their survival in the wild and providing a framework for member countries to work together to protect endangered species from overexploitation and illegal trade.

Why is CITES criticised?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement that regulates international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure their survival in the wild. While CITES has been successful in protecting some species from overexploitation and illegal trade, it has also faced criticism from various stakeholders for several reasons, including:

Lack of effectiveness: Some critics argue that CITES is not effective in protecting endangered species because it does not address the underlying causes of overexploitation, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, and does not provide adequate resources to member countries to enforce the agreement.

• Limited scope: CITES only regulates international trade in endangered species and does not address other threats to biodiversity, such as climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.
• Inequitable distribution of benefits: Some critics argue that the benefits of CITES are not distributed equitably among member countries, with some countries bearing the burden of conservation efforts while others benefit from trade in wildlife and their products.
• Political influence: There have been accusations that political influence and economic interests can sometimes take priority over conservation goals in decision-making processes within CITES.
• Lack of transparency: Some critics argue that the decision-making process within CITES is not transparent, and that decisions are sometimes made without sufficient scientific evidence or stakeholder input.

Overall, while CITES has been successful in protecting some species from overexploitation and illegal trade, it has also faced criticism for its limited scope, lack of effectiveness, and inequitable distribution of benefits. To address these criticisms, there have been calls for greater transparency, improved enforcement, and increased funding and resources for conservation efforts.

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