CITES raises concerns over Namibia’s ivory trade proposal
The Secretariat for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has issued a cautious response to Namibia’s proposal to sell its government-owned ivory stockpiles, highlighting gaps in the plan and warning that precautionary measures may not be fully met.
At the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP20), Namibia will seek approval to sell more than 44 000 kilograms of raw ivory held in government stockpiles. The ivory, consisting of tusks and pieces, comes solely from elephants that died of natural causes or were destroyed as problem animals.
Namibia is proposing that the ivory be traded only with international partners approved by CITES as having strong domestic laws and controls to ensure it is not re-exported and is managed responsibly.
The country is also seeking full Appendix II status for its elephant population, which would permit regulated trade in elephant products, including ivory.
Namibia’s justification
Namibia argues that its elephant population is stable and growing, increasing from around 7 500 animals in 1995 to more than 25 600 in 2023. The population roams over a wide area of more than 100 000 square kilometres during the wet season, and government data suggests illegal killing is not a significant threat.
Instead, officials believe the absence of legal, regulated trade poses the greatest risk to elephants.
Namibia’s submission states that elephants can only be safeguarded if local communities regard them as a valuable asset. Proceeds from ivory sales would be directed into the Game Products Trust Fund, which finances conservation and community-based development projects.
Secretariat’s concerns
While recognising Namibia’s conservation record and healthy elephant numbers, the CITES Secretariat has raised several concerns about the proposal in its preliminary assessment.
The Secretariat noted that Namibia’s request is vague on key points. It said that Namibia does not specify whether the country seeks a one-time sale of ivory stockpiles or permission for ongoing trade. Nor does it explain in detail how future ivory sales would be managed, monitored and enforced.
Another area of concern is the proposed system for verifying trading partners.
According to the assessment, Namibia suggests CITES would confirm that importing countries have strong laws and controls in place, but the proposal does not explain how such verification would be carried out or who would fund it.
Most importantly, the Secretariat warned that allowing legal ivory sales could increase the risk of poaching and smuggling.
It said that even if Namibia’s ivory is strictly controlled, the existence of legal trade could provide cover for illegal activity elsewhere.
Based on these uncertainties, the Secretariat concluded that Namibia’s proposal does not yet meet all the precautionary requirements set out under CITES rules.
It recommended that Namibia clarify its request, provide precise wording for changes to the current ivory trade rules, and explain exactly how trade would be regulated if approved.
At the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP20), Namibia will seek approval to sell more than 44 000 kilograms of raw ivory held in government stockpiles. The ivory, consisting of tusks and pieces, comes solely from elephants that died of natural causes or were destroyed as problem animals.
Namibia is proposing that the ivory be traded only with international partners approved by CITES as having strong domestic laws and controls to ensure it is not re-exported and is managed responsibly.
The country is also seeking full Appendix II status for its elephant population, which would permit regulated trade in elephant products, including ivory.
Namibia’s justification
Namibia argues that its elephant population is stable and growing, increasing from around 7 500 animals in 1995 to more than 25 600 in 2023. The population roams over a wide area of more than 100 000 square kilometres during the wet season, and government data suggests illegal killing is not a significant threat.
Instead, officials believe the absence of legal, regulated trade poses the greatest risk to elephants.
Namibia’s submission states that elephants can only be safeguarded if local communities regard them as a valuable asset. Proceeds from ivory sales would be directed into the Game Products Trust Fund, which finances conservation and community-based development projects.
Secretariat’s concerns
While recognising Namibia’s conservation record and healthy elephant numbers, the CITES Secretariat has raised several concerns about the proposal in its preliminary assessment.
The Secretariat noted that Namibia’s request is vague on key points. It said that Namibia does not specify whether the country seeks a one-time sale of ivory stockpiles or permission for ongoing trade. Nor does it explain in detail how future ivory sales would be managed, monitored and enforced.
Another area of concern is the proposed system for verifying trading partners.
According to the assessment, Namibia suggests CITES would confirm that importing countries have strong laws and controls in place, but the proposal does not explain how such verification would be carried out or who would fund it.
Most importantly, the Secretariat warned that allowing legal ivory sales could increase the risk of poaching and smuggling.
It said that even if Namibia’s ivory is strictly controlled, the existence of legal trade could provide cover for illegal activity elsewhere.
Based on these uncertainties, the Secretariat concluded that Namibia’s proposal does not yet meet all the precautionary requirements set out under CITES rules.
It recommended that Namibia clarify its request, provide precise wording for changes to the current ivory trade rules, and explain exactly how trade would be regulated if approved.
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