SA leads in conservation

South Africa is a world leader in the field of wildlife conservation through its active participation in multilateral environmental agreements such as Cites, says Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe.

“Our country’s unique system of protected area comprises roughly 5.5 percent of the country’s surface area and six world heritage sites,” said Radebe.

He said the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) remains one of the world’s most powerful tools for biodiversity conservation.

South Africa is preparing to host the 17th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP17) on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The conference will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 24 September to 5 October, where Cites parties and observers are expected to come up with resolutions that take forward the work already under way.

– SAnews.gov.za