Global Conferences

West and Central Africa are home to many wildlife species that are heavily targeted by wildlife traffickers due to their high value in trade and rising market demand.

To advocate for these species, participate in global-level conferences and meetings relevant to the protection of species heavily targeted by wildlife crime, such as those of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). We advocate to secure stronger protection of key targeted species while supporting national authorities in the initiatives they lead to fight against wildlife crime, such as:

• Uplisting pangolin (link to species page) species and African grey parrot species (link to species page) into CITES Appendix I in 2016, which were both successful. Now, all international trade of these species for commercial purposes is prohibited.
• Seeking greater international protection for lions (link to species page) under both CITES (Appendix II) and CMS (Appendix II).
• Engaging in the CITES Standing Committee Working Group on African Lions and the joint CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative (that promotes the conservation of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs). (link to species page for each)
• Listing various species of commercially-exploited shark (link to species page) species and African rosewood species in CITES Appendix II, which were both successful. Now, international trade of these species can be better monitored and regulated.

Learn more about CITES:

Learn more about CMS: