Speaker group picture at the EU CITES Anniversary Event
EU CITES Anniversary Event: A Call for Sustained Action on Global Wildlife Conservation
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) was honored to be invited to speak at the EU CITES Anniversary Event, hosted by the European Commission's DG Environment on 1st October 2024 in Brussels. It was a privilege to contribute to such an important gathering, celebrating the EU's longstanding commitment to wildlife conservation and providing insights from the field.
In advance of the 50th Anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) of CITES in 2025, the panel discussion highlighted the EU’s critical contributions to global biodiversity policies and conservation efforts. Crucially, it explored the linkages between policy instruments like CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and forward-looking strategies for sustainable environmental governance. Panelists underlined the importance of strengthening enforcement, increasing biodiversity funding, working closely with local communities, and fostering international partnerships.
Opening remarks were made by Dr. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of DG Environment, European Commission, followed by a panel discussion featuring:
- Ms. Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of CITES
- Mr. Levente Kõrösi, Head of the Biodiversity and Gene Conservation Department at the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture, and WPIEI Biodiversity Chair, Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- Ms. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Lao PDR Programme
- Ms. Susan C. Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division at UN Environment Programme
- Ms. Margarita África Clemente Muñoz, Professor at the University of Cordoba & former CITES Plants Committee Chair (1996-2016)
Speakers at the EU CITES Anniversary Event
Ms. Manoly Sisavanh, Deputy Country Director, WCS Lao PDR Programme, highlighted that Southeast Asia is home to tropical forests and healthy wetlands, renowned for its high levels of unique, rare, endemic and endangered species. However, biodiversity in the region is under severe threat due to illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, and habitat loss and degradation. Ms. Sisavanh added that the EU has been a long-standing supporter of biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia, particularly through the Global Landscapes for Our Future and the Regional Partners Against Wildlife Crime initiatives. These two EU-funded initiatives have provided crucial funding to WCS to collaborate with government, the private sector and civil society partners in safeguarding wildlife at its source, empowering local communities as ‘guardians of their nature,’ promoting sustainable and responsible private sector investment, and tackling nature crime, including wildlife trafficking, through policy reform and capacity building for national authorities, law enforcement, and judicial bodies. Ms. Sisavanh expressed her gratitude to the EU—particularly DG Environment (DG ENV) and DG International Partnerships (DG INTPA)—for their continued leadership and partnership in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting biodiversity across Asia and globally.
Audience at the EU CITES Anniversary Event
Looking ahead, a further crucial action for the EU, but also for other governments worldwide, would be the criminalization of all trade in illegally sourced wildlife, as mentioned in the 2022 Action Plan against wildlife trafficking. This would ensure that non-CITES listed species that are illegally taken from the wild in third countries are also prohibited in the EU, closing a significant loophole in the EU wildlife trade regulations.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Sisavanh looked ahead with passion and unwavering conviction, emphasizing the urgency of sustained action to secure a thriving planet for future generations. Reflecting on her own experiences, she noted how growing up during the era of the Rio Convention shaped her perspective, witnessing firsthand the evolution of global goals from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Now, she stands with hope, embodying the spirit and aspirations of Southeast Asia’s youth. With boundless energy, awareness and understanding, this young generation—“an army of Manoly” as she referred—is eager to rise to the challenge, and it is this drive that fuels her deep commitment to preserving the region’s rich biodiversity and natural resources as part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), a mission she is deeply honored to carry forward.
Ms. Sisavanh concluded with a heartfelt message to the EU and international partners, emphasizing the critical role of their continued support. She assured them that their investment in Southeast Asia’s sustainable future is invaluable, adding confidently, "We will not let you down."
