CITES COP 17 exhibitions and workshops open to the public
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, will have exhibitions and workshops open to members of the public for free, from tomorrow, 26 September 2016 until the 5th of October 2016.
CITES is an international agreement between governments which regulates international trade in wild fauna and flora. The objective of the Convention is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival and conservation.
Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high and the trade is capable of heavily depleting their populations and even bringing some species close to extinction. The existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important in order to safeguard these resources for the future.
The exhibitions will showcase the work of various sectors in the wildlife economy. Exhibitors include the CITES Secretariat, South African Department of Environmental Affairs, City of Johannesburg, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Big Game Parks, SA National Parks (SANParks), National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas, Vietnam Rhino Horn Demand Reduction Campaign, the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Appendix 1 for Pangolins, Birdlife South Africa, the Born Free Foundation, Environmental Investigation Agency, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Global Shark and Ray Initiative, IFAW, Save the Elephants, the Manta Trust, the Parrot Breeders Association of Southern Africa Discovery Communications and Four Paws Animal Welfare Organisation.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the exhibitions as per the details below.
Date: 26 September 2016 to 5 October 2016
Time: 10h00 to 17h00
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre Exhibition, 161 Maude Street
Entrance: Free, members of the public will be required to register for the exhibition on arrival and produce a form of identification in order to receive a day pass.
For media inquiries contact:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
