The Standing Committee of CITES met from 12-15 March 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Participants considered, inter alia, the implementation of Strategic and Action Plans, the establishment of an Implementation Committee, arrangements for COP-12, the financing of species conservation, national implementation, conservation of and trade in specific species, and regional reports. The Standing Committee decided to lift and/or modify trade measures on the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Fiji and Vietnam regarding live birds of prey, caviar and corals, in response to pledges by these governments to reform their wildlife management and trade practices. For more information visit: http://www.cites.org/eng/news/press_release.shtml http://www.cites.org/eng/cttee/standing/index.shtml