The thirteenth Conference of the Parties (COP-13) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) convened from 2-14 October 2004, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Approximately 1,200 participants representing governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations addressed a range of topics, including 50 proposals to amend the CITES appendices, enforcement and administrative matters, and cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Delegates decided to list ramin (a Southeast Asian tree that produces high-value timber), agarwood, as well as the great white shark and the humphead wrasse, two fish species of great commercial value, on Appendix II. The Irrawaddy dolphin was uplisted from Appendix II to Appendix I. Regarding the African elephant, Namibia’s request for an annual ivory quota was rejected, but Namibia was allowed to proceed with a strictly controlled sale of traditional ivory carvings. Furthermore, delegates agreed to an action plan aiming to crack down on unregulated domestic ivory markets. Namibia and South Africa were allowed to an annual quota of five black rhinos each for trophy hunting, and Swaziland was also allowed to open up strictly controlled hunting of white rhinos. Other decisions focused on synergies with FAO and the CBD, while enforcement issues received considerable attention, resulting in the announcement of a Southeast Asian regional action plan on trade in wild fauna and flora based on joint law enforcement.
COP-13 was characterized as a victory for conservationists, who applauded the listings of the Irrawady dolphin, the humphead wrasse, great white shark and ramin, and the rejection of the proposal to downlist minke whales. The elephant issue reflects the continuing balancing act within CITES between conservation and sustainable trade.
Links to further information
Earth Negotiations Bulletin coverage of CITES COP-13
CITES Press Release, 14 October 2004
Big mammals in focus at UN wildlife conference, Reuters News Service, 12 October 2004
Time to curb the wildlife trade, Jane Goodall, 11 October 2004
CITES lifts ban on hunting black rhino, Reuters News Service, 5 October 2004
White Rhino Caught in the Cross Hairs at CITES, Environment News Network, 7 October 2004
CITES forbids commercial trade in rare dolphin, Reuters News Service, 12 October 2004
CITES imposes trade controls on African diet plant, Reuters News Service, 12 October 2004
Wildlife trade? It’s a jungle out there, The Guardian, 30 September 2004
CITES Does Not Follow Standard U.N. Divisions, ENN, 14 October 2004
Namibia Loses Ivory Export Bid at CITES Meeting, Reuters News Service, 13 October 2004