Namibia still to decide on Cites submission

NAMIBIA has not yet decided whether or not to submit proposals to the 13th UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites), regarding the sale of ivory stocks.

An official from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism who deals with Cites-related matters, Dr Pauline Lindeque, said Government would only make a decision following the results of the one-off ivory sale that Namibia expects to conduct later this year. Lindeque said no date had been set for the auction as yet.In 2002 Cites, at its last meeting held in Santiago, Chile, gave Namibia a green-light to have a one-off ivory sale this year.The next Cites meeting is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 2 to 14.Cites member countries have until May 5 to submit their proposals to the Secretariat.Cites has also announced that Namibia will host the 14th Cites Plants Committee meeting in Windhoek from February 16 to 20.Lindeque said no date had been set for the auction as yet. In 2002 Cites, at its last meeting held in Santiago, Chile, gave Namibia a green-light to have a one-off ivory sale this year. The next Cites meeting is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 2 to 14. Cites member countries have until May 5 to submit their proposals to the Secretariat. Cites has also announced that Namibia will host the 14th Cites Plants Committee meeting in Windhoek from February 16 to 20.