As we are in the midst of a number of CoPs, it is important to draw attention to their relevance to apes and their habitats.
The UN Conventions are all governed by the Conference of the Parties (CoP), which happen at different intervals, most of which have been disrupted by Covid measures. Recent, current, and forthcoming CoPs include those dealing with Wetlands, Climate, Wildlife Trade, and Biodiversity.
CoP14, the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands, occurred between the 5th and 13th of November. There are a number of critically important wetland sites in Africa and South-East Asia, designated as Ramsar sites which are ape habitat. Those that are peat swamps are also carbon stores of global importance. Examples of these are the peat-swamp forests in Borneo and Sumatra which are home to orang-utans and gibbons, as well as the Congo Basin. Documents relating to the convention can be found here.
The UNFCCC CoP27 climate talks took place between the 7th and 18th of November. Apes are keystone species in the tropical forests of Africa and South-East Asia, and Ape Allies have been arguing for their conservation as part of climate mitigation measures since 2007. A number of Ape Allies attended CoP27 as observers, and all 23 ape range states took part in discussions that affect ape habitat.
The CITIES CoP19 began on the 14th of November and ended on the 25th November. Apes continue to be traded both dead and alive, and yet primate trade is not on the agenda for this meeting. A number of Ape Allies organised side events to focus the attention of delegates on this important topic. Ian Redmond, chairman of Ape Alliance, attended on behalf of the International Primate Protection League and spoke at side events on 22nd, 23rd and 24th. Footage from the "How do we stop trade in primates?" side event will be available on the Ape Alliance YouTube and social media shortly.
The Convention on Biological Diversity, CoP15, has been delayed since 2020 due to COVID restrictions and is now being held from the 7th to 18th of December. Documents including the long-awaited Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which will guide every country’s biodiversity policy for decades, can be found here.
If you are interested in any further details refer to the articles linked above and make sure to tune into CoP15 starting on the 7th of December.
