CITES as a Tool for Sustainable Development Book Launch and Expert Legal Roundtable was held last week on Thursday October 19th 2023. The virtual event was a significant celebration of the launch of a new world-leading volume published by Cambridge University Press, CITES as a Tool for Sustainable Development. The volume, edited by Prof Mare-Claire Cordonier Segger, Dr David Andrew Wardell, and Dr Alexandra Harrington, with the assistance of Ms MichelleAnagnostou, promises to be a pivotal resource in the field. The event brought together a distinguished panel of experts and featured prominent figures in the fields of environmental law, biodiversity, sustainability, and conservation. The event was hosted by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), University of Waterloo, University of Victoria, University of Cambridge, Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and other partners.
The event commenced with Ms Michelle Anagnostou (PhD Cand, Univ of Waterloo), and Ms Lydia Young (Coordinator, BLGI, CISDL / JD Cand, Univ of Victoria) introducing themselves as the event coordinators. Prof Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (Chair, BLGI & Senior Director, CISDL / Visiting Chair in SD Law & Policy, Univ Cambridge / Prof, Univ Victoria), alongside Professor Jorge Cabrera (Univ Costa Rica UCR in San Jose/ Lead Counsel); and Dr David Andrew Wardell (Principal Scientist, CIFOR-ICRAF), welcomed the online audience and congratulated the team of authors and editors that contributed to the volume.
An exciting opening keynote, CITES as a Tool for Sustainable Development, was delivered by Ms Ivonne Higuero, the Secretary-General of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). MsHiguero introduced the Convention, how the treaty is governed, and how the Parties activities under the treaty contribute to global sustainability. A similarly inspiring closing keynote, Towards a future with healthy, biodiverse and productive forests, was delivered by Dr Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Director General of ICRAF.
The event also featured a diverse and esteemed group of experts, who shared their perspectives on the implementation of CITESand its implications for sustainable development. The discussions were co-chaired by Prof Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger and Dr David Andrew Wardell. The event was moderated by MsMichelle Anagnostou.
The first Roundtable Discussion focused on the topic of Endangered Species, Sustainable Development and the Law. The questions for our honored invited speakers included: Considering three dimensions of sustainable development – environmental, social, and economic – what are the mechanisms under CITES that contribute to sustainable development? What progress has been made in international wild species trade law and policy that advances efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? How to foster synergies between CITES and the legal and institutional frameworks in protected areas to achieve sustainable development? The incredible list of speakers for this session included Mr John E. Scanlon AO (CEO, Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation/ Chair, Global Initiative to End Wildlife Crime/ Chair, UK Government’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund); Dr Marcos Regis da Silva (Special Advisor, Silverlining); and Prof Adeshola Olatunde Adepoju (Prof, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria; Chair / International Coordinating Council, MAB-ICC / Senior Advisor, to the Honourable Minister of Environment).
The second Roundtable Discussion addressed the Global Implementation of CITES by Key Species / Commodity. What are some of the risks of failing to consider complexity (e.g., consumer demand, livelihoods, and market dynamics) in CITES decision-making? How to create a proficient system of sustainable management for the use and trade of species’ which are highly sought after (e.g., pangolins, hammerhead sharks, frankincense)? What would this look like and where does CITES fit in? What reforms might make the Convention more effective in its efforts for sustainable trade and development? The knowledgeable and renowned speakers of this session included Prof Laura Elizondo García (Prof, Univ of Costa Rica); Dr Daniel W.S. Challender (Research Fellow, Univ of Oxford); and Mr Stephen Johnson (Technical Advisor, Consultant, FairSourceBotanicals).
The third Roundtable Discussion explored the National Implementation of CITES. Key discussion questions included: What are some of the challenges for effective national implementation of CITES listings? What is the potential role of other agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, for ensuring sustainable trade in wild species? How can wild fauna and flora trade law and policy benefit Indigenous peoples and local communities? The exceptional expert speakers that addressed these intriguing questions included Prof Carlos Antonio Marti Soria Dall’Orso(Env lawyer, Pontifical Catholic Univ of Peru); and Dr Denis Ruysschaert (Faculty Lead, Geneva Graduate Institute/ VP, SWISSAID).
Speakers discussed the factors that contribute to the success of the Convention, explained why it is unique from other international conventions, noted the ways in which it currently falls short, its biases, and introduced the way forward for improving the successful implementation of wildlife trade law and policy to contribute to sustainable development. For example, experts emphasised the importance of context-specific interventions to protect species, and that implementation can be improved through more participatory and consultative processeswith Indigenous peoples and local communities, and with civil society organizations. Speakers also discussed that there is room for improvement through deeper consideration for more social and economic realities; minimising power imbalances and the persistent dynamics of neocolonialism; enriching our understanding of sustainability challenges by examining the historical dimensions of wildlife trade; increasing public awareness; and by strengthening local, national, and international communication. For more in-depth discussions, please see the event recording, available on the CISDL YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnaeQmcO1Xo&ab_channel=CISDLSecretariat
The event provided the audience with a unique opportunity to engage with the experts directly, ask questions, and gain insights from leaders in the field. This interactive aspect allowed for a dynamic and informative exchange of ideas. With a total of 54 minutes of legal roundtable discussions, and an additional 30 minutes for dialogue with the audience, the event served as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration among professionals in the field, furthering the cause of global conservation efforts. The closing speakers emphasized the importance of the new volume and its relevance in contemporary biodiversity conservation efforts. Overall, the event celebrating the launch of the new volume with Cambridge University Press was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse array of experts and thought leaders to discuss the critical issues surrounding CITES implementation and sustainable development.