What You Can Do
A message from CITES
A message from CITES
As Just Forests celebrates its 21st anniversary, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, better know by its acronym 'CITES', celebrates its 35th anniversary. CITES was created to ensure that international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival, and was a pioneer in advocating sustainable use of the planet's biological resources, including forests. It is therefore encouraging to see those efforts supported by others, such as Just Forests.
As you will read in this guide, the trade in some common timber species is regulated by CITES, for example mahogany or ramin, but there are in fact more than 100 tree species covered by the Convention, and this is likely to increase. Producers have responsibilities to trade responsibly in these resources, but the engagement of consumers is also essential, and you do make a difference when choosing to buy a product resulting from a sustainable and legal source. And illegal logging not only impacts the populations of trees that are felled, but it also impacts whole forest ecosystems and those who rely upon them. So I congratulate Just Forests on its work to raise consumer’s awareness.
John Scanlon
Secretary-General
CITES
...concerted efforts should focus on raising awareness at all levels to strengthen the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations...United Nations General Assembly.
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