50 Years of Natural Sites and Species Conservation: Meanings, achievements and challenges of the CITES, CMS, WHC and Ramsar Conventions

SIDE EVENT
Friday 3 June
11:00-12:15 CEST
Stockholmsmässan, Room 5

Organizers: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, World Heritage Convention

About: As we celebrate 50 years of global environmental action for the anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, our side-event commemorates the birth and achievements of four key biodiversity-related Conventions adopted in the 1970s (CITES, CMS, Ramsar and WHC). This is an opportunity to reflect on milestones achieved by the Parties to four multilateral environmental agreements concluded immediately before or after the Stockholm conference, as well as challenges ahead and visions for the future.

Conservation of species and ecosystems is key to a healthy planet and livelihoods. This side-event therefore nurtures the conversations of all three Leadership Dialogues. It will highlight synergies by showcasing concrete examples of cases where the Conventions have worked together successfully, but also areas where more work and political commitment is needed.

Panelists will include the heads of the four Conventions and representatives of the Parties at ministerial level. The discussion will focus on achievements of the past 50 years as well as challenges and visions for the future. It will cover cases where the Conventions have worked together, notably in relation to sites that are listed both under the Ramsar Convention and WHC, and species listed under CITES and CMS.

Moderator(s): David Whitbourn (UNEP)

Panelists:

  • Amy Fraenkel (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals)
  • Ivonne Higuero (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
  • Martha Rojas Urrego (Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat)
  • Lazare Eloundou Assomo (UNESCO World Heritage Convention)

Contact person: Juan Carlos Vasquez (juan.vasquez_at_cites.org)

Event outcomes (Key transformative actions):

  • In the next fifty years, biodiversity-related conventions to continue and increase collaboration, with a particular focus on synergies on the ground and between local actors and sites to ensure that 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 is equal to more than 4.
  • In the next fifty years, Parties and stakeholders to further contribute towards the conservation of natural sites and species by viewing these as intrinsically connected to other common goals such as climate change and sustainable livelihoods, not only because their conservation acts as a prerequisite for the achievement of these goals but equally because they are able to provide potential solutions.
  • In the next fifty years, Parties, Secretariats and other stakeholders to leverage a variety of resources to better achieve common objectives relating to biodiversity conservation. In particular, this could include enhanced participation of local communities and the private sector, as well as the use of new technologies as a means to measure progress.

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