Leading the way
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
ABOUT THE CEC
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an intergovernmental organization that supports the cooperative environmental agenda of Canada, Mexico and the United States to green North America’s economy, address climate change by promoting a low-carbon economy, and protect North America’s environment and the health of its citizens. The CEC is composed of three bodies: a Council, representing the governments of the three member countries; a Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC), which advises the Council and serves as a liaison with the public; and a Secretariat, which supports the Council and JPAC and prepares independent reports. The CEC brings together governments, civil society, and businesses, to develop innovative North American solutions to global environmental challenges. Find out more at: <www.cec.org>.
About CITES and the CEC
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is working with government and stakeholders in Canada, Mexico, and the United States to implement trinationally agreed, high priority actions for four species groups (sharks, tarantulas, turtle/tortoises, and certain timber species) identified as part of the CEC Operational Plan 2015-2016 project: Strengthening Conservation and Sustainable Production of Selected CITES’ Appendix II Species in North America. Through this work, as part of its current project Supporting Sustainable Trade of CITES Species, the CEC contributes to the legal, sustainable and traceable production and trade in these selected species. These implementation efforts are intended to engage a broad set of stakeholders—including state, provincial, and local levels of government, local communities, producers, traders, investors, academy and consumers/aficionados.
This website represents a trinational approach to find workable solutions to trade in priority species. The material presented on the website is informed by science and local knowledge; it involves governments of different levels and seeks to engage other sectors of society in order to achieve its aims; and it surpasses geographic and political boundaries.
Our objective:
- To help North American citizens, experts and authorities learn more about the three countries’ efforts to support sustainable trade in sharks, tarantulas, turtles/tortoises and timber species groups.
This website includes:
- summarized information on four priority species groups and sustainable trade in them
- relevant information for stakeholders that could promote their engagement in these efforts
- links to leading organizations supporting sustainable trade, particularly in wildlife
- project highlights that demonstrate how the initiative promotes conservation and sustainable trade