Secretary-General's statements

 World Wildlife Crime Report 2024 Launch at the 33rd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)Opening Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero13 May 2024, Vienna, Austria Thank you, Madame Facilitator.Your Excellency, Ambassador Laura S. H. Holgate, United States Representative to the Vienna Office of the United Nations and to the International Atomic Energy Agency, 

 CITES Youth Leadership Programme 2024Opening Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero22 April 2024, Singapore Distinguished colleagues, youth delegates,Ladies and gentlemen,On behalf of the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and FloraI am thrilled to say a few words at the opening of the inaugural event of the CITES Global Youth Network, an initiative for youth and by youth. 

  Online Workshop on Conservation of Amphibians (Amphibia spp.) Opening Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero 28 November 2023   Esteemed participants,  Greetings to each of you joining from various corners of the globe for this online workshop on the status, management and trade in amphibians, in support of CITES Decision 19.197.   It is an honour to welcome you to this virtual gathering, where our shared commitment to the conservation of our planet's amphibious inhabitants brings experts, policymakers, and stakeholders together in the face of evolving challenges, with a common purpose: ensuring that amphibians will remain in the wild for future generations. 

  2023 Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero 28 November 2023, Bangkok, Thailand   Distinguished Award Winners, dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my utmost pleasure to have the opportunity to address you at this year’s Asia Environmental Enforcement Awards.

  77th Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee Opening Statement by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero 6 November 2023, Geneva, Switzerland   Excellencies, Distinguished Standing Committee Members, Parties, and observers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

By CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero – 31 October 2023 

By CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero – 14 September 2023  We have all witnessed how rapidly digitalization has progressed in recent years and I am excited to share with you how CITES is embracing the digital age. Major progress has been made by Parties, the Secretariat, and its partners on the electronic CITES permitting system (eCITES).  

  32nd Meeting of the CITES Animals Committee Opening Remarks by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero 19 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland   Chair of the Animals Committee, Members of the Animals Committee,