23 May 2012: The Andean Community (CAN) recently held a workshop to discuss options and proposals for subregional coordination mechanisms to combat illegal traffic in species of wild Amazonian fauna and flora. The workshop, held 22-23 May 2012, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, was organized by the Government of Bolivia and CAN’s biodiversity programme, BioCAN, with support from the Government of Finland.

The workshop discussed possible coordination mechanisms and tolls, and reviewed proposed guidelines for identifying opportunities for subregional collaboration in prevention and control of illegal wildlife trade consistent with international regimes, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). BioCAN intends to strengthen the national efforts of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to control illegal wildlife trade, promote information exchange between them and implement a regional campaign on the prevention and control of illegal actions affecting wildlife.

The workshop is the first carried out under BioCAN’s Plan for Capacity Building in the area of ​​Amazon wildlife management. Three more subregional meetings are planned on sustainable management of priority species, conflicts related to wildlife management, and integration of the ecosystem approach to wildlife management.

BioCAN, created in 2007 with funding from Finland, and in its second phase since June 2010, has the mission of contributing to the quality of life of CAN member countries in their Tropical Andes-Amazonian Regions “through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in an equitable manner respectful of cultural diversity.” [CAN Press Release (Spanish)]