Notification to the Parties

CONCERNING:

The Secretariat’s website

1. The website of the Secretariat was first launched in 1997. It was created and maintained by UNEP-WCMC in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The Secretariat started to maintain the website by itself in Geneva from 1 January 2001. The third generation of the website, designed and maintained directly by the Secretariat, was officially launched on 18 June 2001 during the 45th meeting of the Standing Committee. The new website is aimed at facilitating access to official documents as well as being a source of information about CITES for the general public. Certain sections of the website, such as the photo gallery, are designed particularly for the public.

2. There is no doubt that the Internet has dramatically facilitated the flow of information. Information on the Web can be updated more easily and quickly than by most traditional means of communication. To take advantage of the information technology, the Secretariat is now using its website as a major means to communicate with Parties. Some kinds of information are provided mainly or only through the website, such as the complete and up-to-date export quotas, CITES Registers, table of valid Notifications to the Parties, press releases, CITES-listed species database, list of publications, event calendar, announcement of new Parties, etc. Therefore the Secretariat strongly encourages Parties to make regular use of its website.

3. The quality of Internet connection varies considerably among the Parties. For some Management Authorities, if not for whole countries, Internet connection is still not available. In an effort to reach and serve all Parties, thereby minimizing the ‘digital divide’, the Secretariat has created a CD-ROM version of its website, and has pleasure in providing several copies with this Notification.

4. Whilst the website is created to serve the Parties, inputs from the Parties are also essential in order to make it a more useful and dynamic source of information for the entire CITES community. In particular, the Secretariat requests the Parties to keep it apprised of important CITES-related activities at regional or national level that may be posted under the ‘News & highlights’ and other sections of the website. CITES-related press releases from the Parties can also be placed on the Secretariat’s website.

5. Parties are also invited to inform the Secretariat of their own websites or Web pages that can be included on the ‘Useful links’ page of the Secretariat's website. With Notification No. 2001/011 of 9 February 2001, the Secretariat recommended to the Parties to register CITES domain names. The Secretariat is pleased to note that some Parties, such as Canda, China and Switzerland, have already done so.

6. The ‘National contacts’ page is an on-line version of the CITES Directory, and they are updated simultaneously. The Secretariat is often alerted by users that the contact details of the Management and Scientific Authorities are out of date. Parties are therefore requested to advise the Secretariat of any changes to their contact information as soon as possible.

7. The CITES-listed species database linked from the Secretariat's website was created and is maintained by UNEP-WCMC. This database has recently been revamped with the fauna and flora databases merged into one. Technical queries and suggestions about the database should be addressed directly to UNEP-WCMC.

8. The ‘Photo gallery’ has been well appreciated and the Secretariat has received many requests for permission to use the photographs for various purposes. The Secretariat wishes to take this opportunity to express its gratitude to all contributors of the photographs, and in the meantime reminds all potential users to check the following page for credit and copyright information:

http://www.cites.org/gallery/people/copyright.html

9. The Secretariat will endeavour to make best use of its website and of the Internet as a whole to facilitate information flow to serve the Parties better. Current projects include, for instance, the on-line version of the CITES species identification manual and a CITES listserver. The Secretariat welcomes any suggestions for improvement of its website.

10. It is intended to distribute updated copies of the website on CD-ROM at least twice a year, depending on need. The Secretariat would welcome comments from the Parties on this initiative.