Second SADC CITES Joint Working Group meeting poster

Events

Second SADC CITES Joint Working Group Meeting

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8:30 am SAST
Hybrid

Johannesburg
South Africa

The SADC CITES Joint Working Group meeting follows the recent CoP20 and aims to consolidate Member States’ post-CoP reflections, strengthen legal coordination under CITES, and set the regional preparatory roadmap for the upcoming intersessional processes.

Objectives of the Joint Working Group meeting

  • Review of CoP20 outcomes and Member States’ experiences
  • Legal reflections on CITES provisions and relevant Vienna Convention frameworks
  • Engagement with Attorney General Experts on sustainable legal trade pathways
  • Discussions on sustainable financing models and the disposal of valuable wildlife product stockpiles
  • Initiate the technical review and updating of the SADC Stockpile Management Guidelines and associated resource mobilisation priorities
  • Review of outcomes from the Elephant Dialogue Meeting (Maun, Botswana)
  • Drafting of the 2026 Work Plan of the SADC JWG aligned with Ministerial directives.

Expected outputs 

  • Agreed post-CoP20 regional preparatory actions
  • Draft SADC CITES JWG Work Plan (2026)
  • Technical guidance on sustainable financing and trade safeguards
  • Consolidated inputs to update the SADC Stockpile Management Guidelines and
  • Resources Mobilization
  • Agreed roadmap and timeline for finalisation of the Guidelines
Agenda

DAY 1 – Monday, 16 March 2026

CITES MATTERS

Theme: Post-CoP20 Review, Legal Options, and Regional Coordination

PROGRAMME – Day 1

Time             Session
08:30–09:00 Registration
09:00–09:30 Opening Session
09:30–11:00 Post-CoP20 Reflections
11:00–11:30 Tea/Coffee Break
11:30–13:00 Intersessional Preparations
13:00–14:00 Lunch
14:00–16:30 Attorney General Expert Session
16:30–17:00 Wrap-up

AGENDA

  1. Opening Session
    • Welcome Remarks – SADC Secretariat
    • Remarks – SCI/SCIF
    • Adoption of Agenda and Programme
  2. Post-CITES CoP20 Reflections and Lessons Learned
    • Member State inputs
    • Consolidated Secretariat presentation
  3. Preparations for CITES Intersessional Meetings (2026)
    • Expected agenda items
    • Regional preparatory requirements
  4. Session with Attorney General Experts (International Law)
    • Article 30 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties
    • Relevant CITES Articles and Resolutions
    • Parallel trade options and safeguards
  5. Group Discussion
    • Legal and policy options for coordinated regional trade models

DAY 2 – Tuesday, 17 March 2026

CITES MATTERS (continued)

Theme: Sustainable Financing & Regional Coordination on Trade Matters

PROGRAMME – Day 2

Time            Session
09:00–09:15 Recap
09:15–11:00 Sustainable Financing Options
11:00–11:30 Break
11:30–13:00 Elephant Dialogue Outcomes
13:00–14:00 Lunch
14:00–16:00 Draft 2026 JWG Work Plan
16:00–16:30 Closure of CITES Sessions

AGENDA

  1.  Recap of Day 1
  2. Sustainable Financing Options under CITES
    • Disposal pathways for valuable wildlife products
    • Models aligned with conservation, livelihoods, and poverty reduction
  3. Review of the Elephant Dialogue Meeting (Maun, Botswana)
    • Key outcomes
    • Implications for regional coordination
    • Required preparatory work
  4. Drafting the SADC CITES JWG Work Plan for 2026
    • Alignment with ENRT Ministerial guidance
  5. Agreement on Next Steps and Closure of CITES Sessions

DAY 3 – Wednesday, 18 March 2026

STOCKPILE MANAGEMENT

Theme: Reviewing Status and Updating the SADC Stockpile Management Guidelines

PROGRAMME – Day 3

Time            Session
08:30–09:00 Registration
09:00–09:45 Opening & Ministerial Decision Review
09:45–11:00 Member State Status Reports
11:00–11:30 Break
11:30–12:30 International Best Practices
12:30–13:30 Lunch
13:30–15:00 Technical Session & Group Work
15:00–15:30 Next Steps & Timeline
15:30–16:00 Closing

AGENDA

  1. Opening Session
  2. Review of ENRT Ministerial Decision (19 May 2025)
    • Mandate to update the SADC Stockpile Management Guidelines
  3. Member State Status Reports
    • Current stockpile inventories
    • Key challenges and gaps
  4. Presentation: International Best Practices
    • Traceability systems
    • Audit and security standards
    • Risk management approaches
  5. Technical Session: Key Elements for Updating the Guidelines
    • Legal provisions
    • Security standards
    • Disposal pathways
    • Monitoring and reporting
  6. Group Work
    • Proposed structure and content of the revised Guidelines
  7. Identification of the Priority areas for Supporting Resources Mobilization.
  8. Agreement on Next Steps and Review Timeline
  9. Closing Session
More info

AWEI's Programmes Manager, Dr Wiseman Ndlovu, and Sue Snyman from the African Leadership University will be presenting at the meeting on the SADC Wildlife-based Economies Framework roadmap development, terms of reference, structure, progress, and timeline.

Documents