RULES OF PROCEDURE (ROP)
ASEAN Working Group on CITES and Wildlife Enforcement (AWG-CITES and WEN)
- Chapter I
- Chapter II
- Chapter III
- Chapter IV
- Chapter V
- Chapter VI
- Chapter VII
- Chapter VIII
- Chapter IX
- Chapter X
LEAD COUNTRY
Rule 6
Appointment
The Lead Country for the Working Group appointed through consultation and consensus among Member States is Thailand.
Rule 7
Responsibilities
The Lead Country shall:
(i) consult with Member States on matters requiring immediate attention in between meetings;
(ii) monitor the implementation of decisions taken;
(iii) take initiative with assistance of the ASEAN Secretariat and after consultation with Member States to make funding arrangement to facilitate work of the Working Group; and
(iv) perform such duties as may be assigned by the Working Group.
Rule 8
Responsibilities
The Host Country shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(i) convene the meeting of the Working Group in consultation with the Member States. Notification of the date of the meeting shall be informed to Member States at least one (1) month ahead before the meeting is convened; and 4
(ii) oversee the organisation and arrangements of the meeting with the assistance and support of the ASEAN Secretariat.
Rule 9
Support Staff
The Host Country shall determine the support staff needed to assist in carrying out the duties and responsibilities, and shall also provide secretarial and support services during the meeting.
Rule 10
Responsibilities
Each Member State shall nominate a National Focal Point and/or an alternate to:
(i) ensure active and effective communication and dissemination of information, including sharing the results arising from the activities of the Working Group; and
(ii) facilitate the effective implementation of the activities of the Working Group in each Member State.
Rule 11
ASEAN Member States
Members of the Working Group must be officials or individuals authorised by Member States. They are expected to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and knowledge for addressing issues related to trade in wild fauna and flora consistent with sustainable management, conservation and protection, and the illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber.
Rule 12
ASEAN Secretariat
Representatives nominated by the ASEAN Secretariat may attend the Working Group meetings as resource persons.
Rule 13
Non-ASEAN Member States
The Working Group may invite, if deemed necessary, individuals and experts from international organisations, academia, private sector as well as civil society organisations (CSOs) to its meetings or to any related events organised by the Working Group as observers
Rule 14
Preparation and Finalisation
The preparation of the draft Report of the Meeting shall be the responsibility of the ASEAN Secretariat under the supervision of the Chairperson, and will be presented to the meeting. The Report shall be finalised and adopted by consensus at the meeting, and shall be made available to all Member States by the ASEAN Secretariat.
Rule 15
Adoption
If any of the Member States are unable to be represented at the meeting, any comments of the Report of the Meeting should be submitted to the current Chairperson of the Working Group not later than one (1) month after receiving the Report of the Meeting. Otherwise, the Report shall remain confirmed and adopted.
Rule 16
Submission
The report of each meeting shall be submitted to ASOF and a copy shall be transmitted to SOM-AMAF and the ASEAN Secretariat. A copy of the report shall also be transmitted to all Member States that are not represented during the Working Group meeting.
Rule 17
Confidentiality
Documents and reports shall be treated as confidential, unless otherwise as agreed by the Working Group at its meeting.
Rule 18
Establishment
The Chair, on an approved motion from the Working Group members, may create specialised task force to address specific time-bound issues affecting trade in wild fauna and flora and the illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber. Each Member State shall submit an equitable number of nominees for the specialised task force to the Working Group.
Rule 19
Responsibilities
Upon its formation, the task force members shall choose among themselves their Chair and Vice-Chair to conduct its work. The task force shall complete the assigned activities within the agreed timeframe and report its work to the Working Group at its regular meeting.
Rule 20
Reporting to ASOF and SOM-AMAF
The Lead Country or her designated representative shall represent the Working Group at meetings of ASOF to report on the progress of its work for consideration by this parent body, and may also upon request, accompany the Chairperson of ASOF to meetings of SOM-AMAF and AMAF.
Rule 21
Guidance from ASOF and SOM-AMAF
The Lead Country or her designated representative shall, on such occasions, seek guidance or instructions from ASOF and/or SOM-AMAF pertaining to the programme of work of the Working Group.
Rule 22
Amendment and Suspension
Any of these Rules of Procedure may be amended or suspended by the Working Group during its regular meetings. The amended or suspended Rules of Procedure shall be forwarded to ASOF for their further consideration and endorsement, upon which the amendment or suspension shall take into effect.
Rule 23
Effectivity
The Rules of Procedure shall take into effect immediately upon endorsement by ASOF.
Scale of Southeast Asia’s Illegal Wildlife Trade
Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s greatest biological diversity, which humans rely on for food, livelihoods, medicines and aesthetic pleasure. Healthy ecosystems also underpin vital environmental services such as fresh water supply and arable land for the world’s largest and most populous continent.
However, this unique and essential natural heritage is under serious threat. Scientists believe, for example, that more than 40% of the animal and plant species in Southeast Asia could be wiped out this century, with at least half those losses representing global extinctions. Criminal over-exploitation – such as illegal logging, destructive and over-fishing, poaching and trafficking of wild plants and animals – continues in the region.
All AMS are parties to the CITES and have collaborated to control the trade in wild fauna and flora. The ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network is now the largest wildlife law enforcement network in the world. The ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora (2005 – 2010) provides a framework for enhanced collaboration among the AMS.