WCS Statement on Postponement of CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP18)

Dr. Susan Lieberman, Vice President of International Policy for WCS said:

The CITES Secretariat announced the postponement of the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP18) scheduled to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 23 to June 3, due to the recent horrific terrorist attacks and security issues in the country. All of us at WCS are heartbroken for the victims and their families, and the people of Sri Lanka, and we support this decision to postpone this important meeting. 

“This is the first time in its more than 45-year history that a CITES CoP has been postponed less than a month before the meeting. The WCS delegation to the meeting, with representatives from all continents, looks forward to the new date, and to visiting the beautiful country of Sri Lanka, and to strong conservation decisions benefiting wildlife species subject to international trade.”

To learn more about WCS recommendations at CITES CoP18, please visit: www.wcs.org/cites.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242.