This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
At the 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP18) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), governments faced criticism for failing to close their legal domestic ivory markets. The criticism came from a coalition of 30 African elephant range states, who had strongly advocated for elephant protection.
According to Matt Collis, IFAW Director, International Policy, and head of IFAW's delegation at CITES, 'We congratulate the many countries, including China, the US, UK and others who have taken or announced measures to close their ivory markets.' However, he emphasized that 'legal ivory markets and a lack of action against large illegal markets in certain countries continue to provide opportunities for criminal syndicates to traffic ivory.'
IFAW believes that until domestic markets are shut down, efforts to end the poaching crisis and stop criminal syndicates from trafficking ivory will be frustrated. The organization estimates that at least 20,000 elephants are being illegally killed each year for their ivory, with an average of 55 elephants being poached every day in Africa.
During the debate on domestic ivory markets, the EU announced it would soon be introducing new regulations. IFAW welcomed this move, but emphasized that any changes must shut down ivory markets in the EU with all but extremely limited exemptions.
The Conference of Parties (CoP18) of CITES is meeting in Geneva, Switzerland until August 28. Proposals to address the listing status of elephants on the CITES appendices are scheduled to be introduced by the forum today.
