Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

CITES Handbook

1. The Secretariat has developed a Handbook containing the text of the Convention, the three Appendices, the standard permit, and the Resolutions and Decisions in effect after the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The Convention’s Strategic Vision Through 2005 and the accompanying Action Plan are included as Annex 1 to the Decisions. The Handbook is being distributed, to Parties only, with this Notification.

2. In line with Goal 1 of the Strategic Vision, it is hoped this easy-to-use reference tool will enhance the ability of each Party to implement the Convention. The Handbook has been designed not only to facilitate the daily work of CITES Management Authorities, Scientific Authorities and enforcement authorities but also to support legislative and other workshops. Moreover, the Handbook is the first in a series of implementation tools being developed by the Secretariat.

3. The Secretariat plans to prepare a revised version of the Handbook after each meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and welcomes comments on how it might be improved.