These resolutions, decisions and recommendations demonstrate that CITES Parties have agreed on a mandate to address domestic trade issues, including legal and illegal domestic trade, in certain circumstances. Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of such recommendations adopted by the CoP.
Ahead of the 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP18) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), EIA has prepared comments and recommendations on listing proposals and working documents (as available at the time of writing)
Despite the rapid proliferation of organised Vietnamese wildlife trafficking networks driving illegal wildlife trade globally, the response from the Government of Vietnam has been inadequate and disproportionate to the scale of wildlife trafficking implicating Vietnamese criminal groups.
The National Ivory Action Plans (NIAP) process under CITES is a framework developed in response to the elephant poaching crisis continuing in Africa. The NIAP process is a very useful initiative which, if implemented properly, should contribute significantly to reductions in elephant poaching and illegal trade in ivory
Failure to take any meaningful action against identified networks and individuals has led to international Vietnamese syndicates operating with impunity. Illegal ivory, rhino horn and pangolins are entering Vietnam at alarming rates, accelerating declines in populations of elephants, rhinos and pangolins
Assessing progress made by NIAP countries, China, Kenya, Laos, Mozambique and Vietnam, selected for the important role they play in the ivory trade. We urge CITES Parties to employ International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime indicators to evaluate the impact of their governments’ responses to wildlife crime