Monitoring CITES activities at ATIBT

Last February, in collaboration with tropical timber producing countries, the ATIBT launched an initiative specifically designed to address CITES-related issues. The main objective of this action is to better inform the various stakeholders about the issues linked to species listed in Appendix II of CITES, as well as changes to this appendix. In this context, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)[1] page has been created and is regularly updated (see the animation on CITES produced by Fedustria). ATIBT is currently assisting several companies with CITES-related actions, such as export and import permit applications.

This action also aims to ensure:

(i) communication on forest management methods in Central Africa and taking into account the vulnerability of tree species.

(ii) monitoring of classifications, analysis of documents, exchanges and answers to members' questions,

(iii) a scientifically sound analysis of the vulnerability of commercial tree species, with a view to defining action programs and providing informed support to international bodies (IUCN, CITES),

(iv) support for the implementation of CITES measures in tropical countries (preparation of non-detriment findings, issue of import/export permits, quota monitoring, etc.)

(v) interactions with the European Union's Scientific Review Group, as well as with management bodies and scientific authorities in the EU and the various tropical basins,

(vi) preparation for the next COPs, in particular by supporting the emergence of a common position among Central African states on classification proposals, and by lobbying decision-making bodies.

At the 26^th meeting of the CITES Plants Committee in Geneva, the ATIBT mobilised African, North American and Asian countries to take joint action to highlight the limitations of the European Union's proposal as presented in document PC26 Doc. 18[2]. The Committee took note of the concerns raised by the proposal. You will find a summary of the discussions at this session at point 18 of the CITES summary[3].

For more information on ATIBT's activities, or if you can't find the answer to your question in the FAQ, please contact us at the following address franck.monthe@atibt.org

[1]  https://www.atibt.org/en/p/248/cites#FAQ

[2] https://cites.org/sites/default/files/documents/PC/26/agenda/E-PC26-18.pdf

[3] https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/pc/26/E-PC26-SR-DRAFT.pdf