12 May 2011: In his keynote address to participants at the 58th General Assembly of the International Council of Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), which convened from 12-15 May 2011, in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, John Scanlon, Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), welcomed the active and constructive participation of the CIC in CITES meetings and discussions and CIC’s ongoing contribution to the dialogue on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The General Assembly addressed the theme “Hunting – a part of cultural heritage,” and Scanlon recognized the role that hunting can play and its inter-relationship with CITES. He highlighted the recent publication of the ninth edition of “The Evolution of CITES,” saying it will help everyone, CITES Parties and hunters alike, better understand the detailed workings of CITES and the critical role it plays in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. [Meeting Website] [CITES Press Release]