South African President Jacob Zuma on Saturday opened the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Johannesburg, which will discuss key issues pertaining to the regulation of international trade in wildlife.

Zuma said the wildlife species will become extinct if illegal trafficking is not checked and regulated.

He pointed out that the existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important in order to safeguard these resources for the future.

Zuma expressed his country's commitment to working with other countries to preserve wildlife.

He said, "It is critical for governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Regulations must ensure that trade of Rhinos for example, or wild ginger is in a way that ensures that future generations continue to benefit from them, and that they do not become extinct."

Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high and the trade is capable of heavily depleting their populations and even bringing some species close to extinction, said Zuma.

The existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important in order to safeguard these resources for the future, he noted.

The natural resources sustain livelihoods of communities and promoting economic development, Zuma said.

Wildlife contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), create jobs and sustain lives of the people, said Zuma.

He called for a transparent and fair system that allows governments to meet their development imperatives which are intertwined with the sustainable use of species.

"You are all here because your countries agree that legal international trade in wildlife, particularly in endangered species, requires regulation, monitoring, enforcement and international collaboration," Zuma said.

The illegal trade in wildlife, including poaching, presents significant challenges and threats to the environment, including undermining the potential benefits arising from legal trade that contributes significantly to socio-economic upliftment and development.

"Global governance is critical for our common success," Zuma said.

He said legal trade in wildlife species should be well-regulated and conducted within the CITES framework and national legislative frameworks.

John Scanlon, CITES Secretary General, said there has been increasing political interest and funding towards wildlife preservation.

He said governments and international bodies like the UN Crime Commission have shown much commitment in fighting illegal trade in wildlife species.

Scanlon said the conference will review the crime fighting mechanism and find ways to strengthen it.

Over the next two weeks, Parties to CITES will take important decisions in the interests of protecting the planet's most precious wildlife.

Over 500 species will be affected, some of which are illegally traded across the globe at alarming levels.

"We are not only talking about challenges at CoP 17 but what more needs to be done," Scanlon said.

United National Environmental Programme Executive Director Erik Solheim called for a "combined struggle" to preserve the wildlife.

He commended China for using celebrities to spread the message about the need to preserve wildlife.

Solheim also praised the Beijing International Airport for dedicating its commercial space to informing travelers about the dangers to wildlife.

"CITES cannot succeed in isolation. when we work together there is no limit to what we can achieve," he said.

Chairperson of the CITES Standing Committee, Oystein Storkersen said there has been lots of innovative ways to push the CITES agenda forward.

The conference, which will last until October 5, is considering proposals put forward by different countries. If there is no consensus, they will resort to a vote.

Source : XINHUA