EU CITES Anniversary: Contributing to Global Environmental Governance, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

This hybrid event commemorates the EU's significant contributions to wildlife conservation, environmental governance and the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 2025 and the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) of CITES in 2025, as well as in the run-up to CoP16 in 2024 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the event aims to celebrate achievements, strategically look towards the future and, above all, highlight the EU's ongoing commitment to biodiversity within a broader environmental context.

Register for in-person or online participation by 13 September 2024. Registration is valid only after email confirmation from the organiser.

Objectives

The event will emphasise the EU’s critical role in shaping global biodiversity policies and driving effective conservation strategies within the CITES forum. Speakers and panellists will consider successes and challenges, exploring ways to better address emerging biodiversity issues. This includes showcasing tangible examples and forward-looking strategies for sustainable environmental governance. EU engagement in CITES has led to stronger enforcement mechanisms and wildlife protection strategies, including the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations (WTR) and the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking, revised in 2022, curbing illegal wildlife trade, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Discussions will also explore the EU’s future role in global biodiversity conservation, underlining the importance of strengthening enforcement and fostering international collaboration. In light of the upcoming CBD CoP16 in 2024 and CITES CoP20 in 2025, it is timely to highlight the crucial linkages between CITES and CBD. Thus, the event will examine how to further strengthen synergies between these two conventions and contribute to the implementation of the Goals and Targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Indicative agenda

10:00-10:05 Welcome and Introduction by the Moderator 

10:05-10:15 Opening Remarks by Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of DG Environment, European Commission

10:15-11:15 Panel Discussion featuring:- Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of CITES; Levente Kőrösi, Head of Department, Biodiversity and Gene Conservation Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Hungary and WPIEI Biodiversity Chair, Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Lao PDR Program; Susan C. Gardner, Director, Ecosystems Division, UN Environment Programme (TBC)

11:30-11:35 Closing Remarks and Opening of Reception

11:35-13:00 Lunch Reception with networking opportunities and light refreshments

Join us to celebrate the EU's ongoing commitment to biodiversity and to contribute to the dialogue on future strategies for global environmental governance.