The CITES Great Ape Enforcement Task Force met from 31 October-2 November 2006, in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to IISD sources, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Indonesia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Uganda participated as range States and Kenya attended to represent transit countries. The International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO)-Interpol, the Lusaka Agreement Task Force and the World Customs Organization also participated. A half-day session was allocated for representatives of non-governmental organizations to interact with Task Force members. After exchanging information regarding illicit trade in great apes in each of the countries represented, the Task Force then focused on ways to combat such trade and support range States. It was noted that insufficient information was available regarding the nature of the trade and a country profile form was designed to gather more data. The Task Force also developed the suggested design for a poster to be distributed to Customs, police and wildlife offices, especially at ports and other places where illicit trade occurs, to help raise awareness. Lastly, the Task Force identified the need for training and capacity building for law enforcement personnel. The CITES Secretariat is currently investigating ways in which that might be provided.
Link to further information
CITES Great Apes Programme