Secretary-General's statements

2021 World Elephant Day: From Conflict to Coexistence - Remarks of CITES S-G I. Higuero Happy World Elephant Day! For those of you who are hearing for the first time about the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora a - or CITES - , it is a legally binding, multilateral agreement that sets rules for international trade in wildlife. The Convention regulates international trade in more than 38,000 species of wild animals and plants, including their parts and derivatives. Its purpose is to ensure that this trade is legal, sustainable, and traceable.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples: Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero Indigenous peoples and local communities are among the most active groups engaged in conserving and caring for much of our planet’s wildlife and ecosystems. Members of these groups rely on these spaces to meet their basic needs, from food, to shelter, to fuel and medicines. Over their long histories, many Indigenous groups have lived in good harmony with their environments.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples: Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero Indigenous peoples and local communities are among the most active groups engaged in conserving and caring for much of our planet’s wildlife and ecosystems. Members of these groups rely on these spaces to meet their basic needs, from food, to shelter, to fuel and medicines. Over their long histories, many Indigenous groups have lived in good harmony with their environments.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples: Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero Indigenous peoples and local communities are among the most active groups engaged in conserving and caring for much of our planet’s wildlife and ecosystems. Members of these groups rely on these spaces to meet their basic needs, from food, to shelter, to fuel and medicines. Over their long histories, many Indigenous groups have lived in good harmony with their environments.

World Ranger Day 2021 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2021                                                                                            ©UNEP World Ranger Day is a time to pause, reflect and show our gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of some of nature’s most devote custodians.

World Ranger Day 2021 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2021                                                                                            ©UNEP World Ranger Day is a time to pause, reflect and show our gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of some of nature’s most devote custodians.

World Ranger Day 2021 Message from CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero 31 July 2021                                                                                            ©UNEP World Ranger Day is a time to pause, reflect and show our gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of some of nature’s most devote custodians.

25th meeting of the CITES Plants Committee: Closing remarks of Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero   Madame Chair of the Plants Committee, Members of the Plants Committee, Distinguished delegates and participants, Congratulations on the successful first online meeting of the Plants Committee! The circumstances in which we have had to organize this meeting are truly historical. The successful achievement of the shared goals for this meeting during these difficult times is the strongest indicator of your dedication to the Convention and commitment to ensure that international trade of wild plants does not threaten their survival.