CITES–WOAH: Wildlife Trade in the Middle East

Overview

Safe, traceable and legal international trade in wildlife, the management of zoonotic disease risks, and the safe transport of biological samples require close coordination between Veterinary Authorities and CITES Management and Scientific Authorities.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the WOAH and CITES Secretariats in March 2024, these areas were identified as issues of mutual interest. As part of the joint programme of work between WOAH and CITES, a series of regional webinars is being organised to strengthen awareness, dialogue and collaboration among the relevant national authorities.

The Middle East regional webinar will bring together CITES Management and Scientific Authorities, Veterinary Services and other relevant stakeholders to discuss shared priorities related to wildlife trade, animal health and the safe movement of biological samples.

Areas of mutual interest

The webinar will focus on three key areas:

• Safe, traceable and legal international trade of wildlife
• Identifying zoonotic disease risks associated with CITES activities and CITES-listed species
• Safe and fast transport of biological samples from wild animals for diagnosis or identification

Closer communication between CITES authorities and national veterinary services can help strengthen the management of zoonotic disease risks associated with wildlife trade and support safe and legal international trade.

What the webinar aims to achieve

The webinar will:

• Present the respective mandates and provisions of CITES and WOAH, and their areas of intersection
• Raise awareness of how veterinary certification and CITES permitting operate at national level
• Clarify the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in wild animal trade, with an initial focus on terrestrial animals
• Encourage closer collaboration between CITES Management and Scientific Authorities and Veterinary Services or Wildlife Authorities
• Reinforce coordination and communication between relevant national and international entities

Who should participate?

The webinar is intended for:

• WOAH National Focal Points for Wildlife from countries in the region
• Representatives of national Veterinary Services working on wildlife trade
• CITES Management Authorities and Scientific Authorities from countries in the region
• Representatives of the CITES Secretariat
• Representatives from WOAH Headquarters, including the Standards Department and Wildlife Team
• Representatives from the relevant WOAH Regional Office

Format

The webinar will include presentations on the respective roles and mandates of WOAH and CITES, followed by practical country-level scenarios illustrating collaboration between CITES authorities and Veterinary Services.

The programme will also include a discussion and question-and-answer session.

Provisional agenda