This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
From August 19 to 28, the 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) took place in Geneva, Switzerland. The conference had 107 agenda items and 57 species proposals on its agenda.
Among the proposals was one by Kenya, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivore, Gabon, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Togo to up-list four elephant populations in southern Africa to Appendix 1 from the current Appendix 2, thereby prohibiting all international commercial trade in African ivory. However, this proposal was rejected by the parties in attendance.
Despite the rejection, Kenya and the African Elephant Coalition sent a strong message to the world on their uncompromising stance against ivory trade. According to a statement by the Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Wildlife (CITES, Head of Delegation), Kenya has managed to lobby for total protection of elephants from any commercial international trade in ivory by listing all African elephants on Appendix I of CITES, which would afford the highest protection.
Kenya's efforts were supported by several countries, including the EU, US, China, India, Israel, Sri Lanka, and the group of Latin America and Caribbean states. The African Elephant Coalition, which consists of 32 member countries, also expressed its support for Kenya's stance.
Kenya's success in lobbying for the protection of elephants was a significant outcome of the conference. The country's efforts were also instrumental in the rejection of a proposal by Zambia to allow South Africa to sell raw African elephant ivory for commercial purposes. This proposal was rejected by an overwhelming 82% of the votes cast.
Another significant outcome of the conference was the agreement to protect giraffes by regulating international trade in giraffe parts, such as hides, bones, and meat. CITES also made history by listing the giraffe species on Appendix II, which will now regulate international trade in giraffe parts.
