UN Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) Side Event on UN Oceans as a mechanism to mobilize multilateral ocean action and amplify collective impacts towards SDG14
Statement by CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero
12 June 2025, Nice, France
Madame Elinor Hammarskjold, Undersecretary General for Legal Affairs,
Excellencies,
Delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The objective of CITES is to ensure that wildlife trade is sustainable, legal and traceable. This side event is a great occasion to reflect on CITES contribution to the goals of ocean conservation and sustainable use.
The Convention regulates trade in marine species not only from jurisdictional waters but also from Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, through provisions on Introduction from the Sea...similar legally binding provisions should apply to specimens when taken in international waters.
There are now more than 2000 marine species on CITES Appendices. This demonstrates an increased concern by the Parties to avoid overexploitation.
In the CITES Strategic Vision 2021-2030, CITES Parties have stressed the importance of cooperation and partnerships. UN-Oceans is an excellent example of such cooperation and we recognize the important value added by its work to all members.
In this spirit, the CITES Secretariat has built and promoted cooperation with several UN Oceans members, in support of common objectives on ocean-related matters. For example,
• Cooperation with UNODC, in the framework of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime, or ICCWC, on combatting illegal wildlife trade by strengthening criminal justice systems and providing coordinated support to enforcement authorities at all levels.
• Longstanding cooperation with FAO for a better implementation of CITES in the fisheries sector.
• Cooperation with UNCTAD in promoting sustainable livelihoods and conservation of marine biodiversity in the Caribbean region.
• Cooperation with the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea and Multilateral Environmental Agreements in relevant areas, including identifying potential synergies with the BBNJ Agreement.
Beyond UN interagency cooperation, the CITES Secretariat has built strong partnerships with other inter and non-governmental organisations as well as Regional Fishery Bodies to support the implementation of the Convention.
We are looking forward to the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CITES CoP20), which will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025, that will include a rich agenda on ocean-related matters, such as:
• regulation of Introduction from the Sea
• trade, conservation and management of anguillid eel species
• regulation of trade in sharks and rays
• conservation of and trade in marine turtles
• trade in stony corals and in seahorses
We expect discussions on new proposals for amendments to the Appendices, which we have heard will include several shark and other marine species.
The Secretariat is committed to further supporting and strengthening cooperation with our UN Oceans partners in the remit of its mandate, and I look forward to welcoming you in Samarkand at CITES CoP20.
Thank you.