World Wildlife Day 2024: Launch of CITES-LEX, a Digital Milestone in Wildlife Conservation

04/03/2024

4 March 2024. On World Wildlife Day, the wildlife conservation community will witness a significant leap forward with the launch of CITES-LEX. This innovative platform, a collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the CITES Secretariat, represents a major advancement in the digitalization of wildlife conservation efforts. The launch event is organized by the CITES Secretariat, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Geneva Environment Network, and will focus of the critical theme: “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”.

CITES-LEX is designed to assist Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to navigate the complexities of international trade in endangered species by providing comprehensive access to national catalogues and legislative policies. This multilateral agreement, with 183 States and the European Union as Parties, aims to ensure that international trade does not threaten species' survival.

CITES-LEX integrates legal and policy instruments from FAOLEX, one of the largest online repositories for laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and natural resource management. This integration not only ensures the availability of high-quality and reliable information but also enhances the platform's utility in strengthening the legal foundations for wildlife trade and conservation. The platform facilitates the enforcement of CITES and exemplifies the global commitment to preserving wildlife for future generations through collaborative and innovative solutions.

As digital innovation continues to shape the future of wildlife conservation, the launch of CITES-LEX on World Wildlife Day marks a pivotal moment in harnessing technology to protect our planet's biodiversity.

More information on the event here.