In June, 2019, at Africa’s Wildlife Economy Summit, hosted by the African Union and United Nations Environment Programme in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, community representatives called… Read More »Declaration: Voices of the Communities: A New Deal for rural communities and wildlife and natural resources
“Local people’s rights to make a living by sustainably using their land and wildlife are enshrined in international and national laws, and cannot be undermined… Read More »Press Release: Celebrity campaigns undermine human rights and conservation
Over fifty community leaders, representing millions of people across southern Africa, urge UK-based celebrities to stop using their influence to undermine the human rights of… Read More »Open Letter: Celebrity campaigns undermine successful conservation and human rights
Earth Negotiations Bulletin – A Reporting Service for Environment and Development Negotiations published the summary of the 69th Meeting of CITES Standing Committee, held 27… Read More »Summary of the sixty-ninth meeting of the CITES Standing Committee: 27 November to 1 December, 2017
Rural Community Leaders in Dialogue with Dr David Boyd The following comments are respectfully submitted to Dr David Boyd, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights… Read More »Submission to UN Human Rights Commission Consultation on Biodiversity and Human Rights
Dear Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Ms. Inger Andersen, COVID-19: Holistic, equitable solutions are required to improve human and planetary health and reduce zoonotic pandemic… Read More »Open letter to WHO and UN Environment Programme
Following the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, an international group of experts and key stakeholders from 35 countries today called upon the United Nations to consider impacts on biodiversity and the world’s most vulnerable people in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 250 conservation and development experts and organisations, from international agencies to community groups representing millions of people, have so far signed the open letter addressed to the heads of the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Environment Programme and other UN and inter-governmental bodies. Recognising the need to tackle illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade to reduce pandemic risks, they highlight that any actions should be strategically targeted at situations where such trade poses particular risks to human health, biodiversity conservation or animal welfare, and should not exacerbate inequality and poverty. They warn that wholesale, far-reaching bans on wildlife trade not only risk negative social, economic and ecological consequences but may also fail to address other key sources of zoonotic disease risk.
Read More »Press Release: Experts call for holistic, equitable approach to tackling wildlife trade
A recent letter in Science by Dickman et al about trophy hunting unleashed passionate debate in the Western media. These discussions have involved over 400 conservationists, academics and animal rights advocates from the US, Europe and Australia, voicing strong, if divergent, opinions on effective conservation strategies. Much of the discussion focuses on Africa, but with… Read More »Letter about Trophy Hunting to the Editor of Science Magazine: A Response from Southern African Community Leaders