REGIONAL CITES WORKSHOP

CITES Workshop

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have invited parties and observers to a regional workshop on implementing CITES through national fisheries legal frameworks for countries in Africa.

The workshop follows decisions adopted at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties and builds on earlier workshops attended by CITES management authorities and national fisheries authorities from 31 countries across the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Objectives include strengthening the understanding of CITES requirements for marine species in Africa; sharing relevant CITES and FAO tools and guidance; exchanging national experience on making legal acquisition findings for marine species, and promoting cooperation between CITES and fisheries authorities.

Nominations and funding

Eligible parties and regional organisations, including regional fisheries bodies and regional seas programmes, may each nominate two participants: one from the CITES management authority and one from the national fisheries authority. Nominees should ideally have experience in CITES implementation or in fisheries law, management and trade in wildlife, including sharks.

Funding is available to cover travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for nominated and confirmed participants from 15 to 18 parties, selected against criteria set out in the notification. These include being a coastal African state, a developing country, and being engaged in international trade in CITES-listed marine species. Gender balance will also be taken into account during selection.