On December 20, 2023, Côte d’Ivoire’s Council of Ministers adopted a new landmark law aimed at reinforcing the application of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The legislation includes enhanced measures to prevent illegal trade to enable Côte d’Ivoire to participate more effectively in the fight against international wildlife trafficking.
As an implementing partner for the USAID West Africa Biodiversity and Climate Change (WABiCC) and West Africa Biodiversity and Low Emissions Development (WABiLED) programs, Born Free USA carried out a review of the previous CITES law in Côte d’Ivoire and provided targeted recommendations for the new law to the authorities. We warmly congratulate the Ivorian Government for adopting this new legislation and look forward to supporting them with its implementation!
Côte d’Ivoire Celebrates 30 Years as a Party to CITES with a Major Step Forward
CITES is a United Nations convention to which 184 countries now adhere, including Côte d’Ivoire, which will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its signature this year on November 21. The aim of CITES is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. As a Party to the Convention, Côte d’Ivoire is committed to robust compliance and enforcement of the Convention, and in particular to the prevention of illicit trade in endangered species such as elephants and lions.
It is a requirement of CITES that national legislation must be adequate to enforce the Convention so that it can be fully implemented and be legally binding. By adopting this bill, Côte d’Ivoire has taken a major step forward, demonstrating its determination to provide better protection for wildlife species on its territory, as well as at the international level.
Born Free USA Partners with West African Nations to Protect Wildlife
Since 2017, Born Free USA has been assisting West African countries with CITES implementation. In Côte d’Ivoire, we have already delivered several training courses for officers in charge of CITES enforcement (Water and Forest agents, gendarmes, police, customs officers) as well as for members of the frontline judicial system (judges and prosecutors).
Born Free USA again congratulates the Ivorian authorities, in particular the Ministry of Water and Forests, for having prepared and defended this important new legislation, which will have a significant impact on the protection of wildlife!
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Alice
