South Africa to host the World Wildlife Conference

© Mark Atkins – 123RF.com

The conference will be held in South Africa from 24 September to 5 October 2016.

Molewa signed the agreement with the secretary-general of CITES, John Scanlon, on the margins of an international conference on wildlife crime in The Hague, in the Netherlands.

Scanlon described South Africa as a highly appropriate location given the frontline wildlife challenges and opportunities being tackled on the continent. “Africa is home to a vast array of CITES-listed species and South Africa is globally recognised for the Big Five. CITES Parties and observers look forward to convening in South Africa for the World Wildlife Conference."

Illicit wildlife trafficking

At COP17 Parties will collectively evaluate the progress made since 2013, and take decisions on what additional measures are needed to end illicit wildlife trafficking. It will also consider a number of proposals to bring additional species under CITES trade controls, as well as tackle issues concerning livelihoods, and the review of significant trade, traceability, and the effectiveness of CITES implementation, amongst other things.

The Host Country Agreement signing coincided with the release of the official COP17 logo. The logo is an iconic image of the African white rhinoceros. The rhino's body comprises the outlines of a number of species of endangered plants and animals from the African continent, such as the pangolin, cycad, African aloe and African lion.

"The choice of a rhino as the dominant image in the logo for COP17 is also to draw attention to the challenges South Africa and other African range states face as a result of poaching," said Molewa. "This logo is furthermore testament to the rich tapestry of biodiversity for which our country is known globally."

Human silhouettes

The incorporation of human silhouettes emphasises the crucial role people play in species conservation. The colours of the logo draw inspiration from the diverse hues of the African seasons. The rhino's heart, in the shape of the African continent, symbolises the idea that the African continent is the wellspring of life.

"The COP17 logo reminds all of us of the interconnectivity between different species, and of the fragile, complex relationships between humankind and our stewardship of our natural resources. South Africa looks forward to hosting this important gathering, where we will chart the course for a new era in species conservation," Molewa said.