Sejong, November 21 - Representatives from the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Wha-jin) and the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR, President Suh Min-hwan) attended the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the 19th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) in Panama City, Panama, from November 14 to 25. 

Delegates from 184 countries, international organizations, and NGOs concerned with conserving animals and plants attended the conference. The South Korean delegation comprised officials and experts from the Ministry of Environment and other concerned ministries (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korea Forest Service) and was headed by director Park Jin-young of the NIBR Biological Resources Research Department. 

Participants discussed 89 agendas during the meeting to address issues raised while importing, exporting, and managing endangered species. The key agenda included wildlife conservation and the management of species of eels, seahorses, and frankincense trees (Boswellia). Moreover, discussions also focused on identifying and sharing best practices among the Parties on dealing with illegal trade or wildlife crime linked to the Internet, thus strengthening the implementation of the CITES treaty. The meeting looked at 52 proposals to decide on amending the CITES Appendices. Proposals include species that have drawn strong opposition from habitat countries, such as African elephants, rhinos, and crocodiles, as well as animal and plant species like turtles, sharks, timber, and orchids. Once the COP approves the proposals, the international trade of Brazilwood, whose inclusion in Annex I of CITES was proposed, as well as hippopotamuses and some turtles for commercial purposes, will be prohibited, in principle. Proposals are adopted by consensus after discussing the pros and cons. However, if they fail to reach an agreement, a vote will make the decision. The COP's decisions will take effect 90 days after the meeting concludes (February 23, 2023).

The Ministry of Environment will do its best to control and manage the import and export of target species by completing the revision of the notification that includes the globally endangered species lists decided at the meeting within the deadline. 

Park Jin-young, Director of NIBR, said, "South Korea will participate in the international efforts to conserve endangered species. It will also actively engage in discussions according to the government's position that we must make decisions based on objective and scientific evidence to prevent excessive trade regulations."

Contact: Roh Tae-gwon, Researcher

National Institute of Biological Resources / +82-(0)32-590-7266

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr