Monaco Takes Part in the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17)

Ms. Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation©DR

A Monegasque delegation, headed by Ms. Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, is currently taking part in the 17^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which is taking place from 24 September to 5 October 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

On 23 September, Isabelle Rosabrunetto participated in the Ministerial Lekgotla, the introductory meeting of CoP17, the main theme of which was the role to be played by CITES in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The meeting raised awareness of poaching and the illegal trafficking of protected species.

Many Ministers and directors of States Parties to CITES are attending this 17^th meeting, as well as directors of international agreements and agencies working to preserve the environment.

At this meeting, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation recalled H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince's personal commitment to preserving biodiversity, as well as His wish to make Monaco's voice heard at international forums for implementing the SDGs, especially 14 and 15.

Isabelle Rosabrunetto also stressed the urgent need to combat the illegal trade in wildlife, which threatens not only ecosystems but also States' economic development and security.

Calling for international cooperation, she welcomed the initiatives to bring together various global players (the UNODC, World Customs Organization, CITES, UNEP, the World Bank and Interpol), such as the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).

Finally, Isabelle Rosabrunetto paid a tribute to those who work on a daily basis with courage and determination, at the risk of their lives, to protect this biodiversity.