CITES Global Youth Summit (CGYS) 2025
Opening Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero
27 May 2025
Distinguished guests, dear youth leaders, and friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the inaugural CITES Global Youth Summit in Singapore!
First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you, the young scientists, rangers, lawyers, conservationists, and students, who have travelled from around the globe to be with us. Your passion, commitment, and leadership are truly inspiring.
Though I cannot join you in person, I am honoured to share these remarks at what marks a defining moment for youth engagement in CITES.
I also extend my sincere gratitude to our hosts, the National Parks Board of Singapore, Mandai Nature, City Developments Limited, and the Singapore Oceanarium whose invaluable support has made this Summit possible.
Today is an extraordinary milestone. More than 70 youth leaders from all six CITES regions are here, united by a common vision: a world where empowered youth contribute meaningfully to ensuring the trade in wild animals and plants is legal, sustainable, and traceable.
This year marks 50 years since CITES entered into force in 1975. As we honour that legacy, we also look ahead to the type of future we want for CITES-listed species—from the Red-crested turaco and the Flap-necked chameleon to the Staghorn coral and the Quiver Tree.
This Summit builds on the momentum of last year’s launch of the CITES Global Youth Network. I had the privilege of witnessing a powerful display of the energy and innovation youth bring to conservation and the future of CITES.
Your presence today affirms that youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow - you are leaders now. This Summit reflects our commitments under the CITES Resolution on Youth Engagement to empower young people and enrich wildlife trade and conservation decision-making.
It also advances the CITES Strategic Vision for 2030, which reminds us that ensuring the legality, sustainability and traceability of international wildlife trade hinges on the engagement of all stakeholders, including youth.
You are gathered this week at a critical time. Our world is facing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Youth have already shown global leadership as the “torchbearers” of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in shaping the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The United Nations Youth 2030 Strategy reminds us that young people be empowered to lead, not just be heard. This Summit embodies that principle. It is about leadership, not just participation.
The work you begin here will help bring those goals to life, from ensuring the sustainable management of CITES-listed trees to combating wildlife crime.
On behalf of the CITES Secretariat, I thank you for your passion and leadership. We are proud to support your journey and work together to ensure that wild plants and animals continue to exist in the wild.
I wish you a meaningful and inspiring Summit.
Thank you.