1973 iucn yearbook

countries by measures taken by industrialized nations in their
concern for the environment;
Coping with the widening gap in scientific and technical
capability for dealing with environmental issues between the
developed and the developing countries.
In addition drafts of papers have been prepared on the effect of
environmental issues on competition in international trade and on
environmental impact statements as an instrument of governmental
policy.
International conventions
Formal international agreements covering natural resource problems
have provided one useful technique in advancing conservation action.
Over the years IUCN has been deeply involved in bringing into effect a
number of these agreements, which normally require a great deal of
preparation. IUCN is concerned with secretariat activities for some of
these. Two conventions were concluded during the year and are referred
to in the next following sections.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora
One of the highlights of 1973 was the convening by the United States
Government of a Plenipotentiary Conference to Conclude an International
Convention on Trade of Certain Species of Wildlife, held in
Washington in February 1973. IUCN contributed to the technical
secretariat for the meeting.
The resulting Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was signed in Washington on 3 March
1973. This was the conclusion often years of effort by IUCN and many
others. At the end of 1973, 36 States had signed the Convention, and
ratification procedures had been initiated in most of them. The Convention
will come into force after 10 States have ratified.
The Convention establishes a system of permits and certificates for
regulating international trade in threatened wildlife by control of exports
and imports, and calls for effective national measures to reinforce and
implement the border check procedures, including confiscation of specimens
and other penalties for violation of the provisions of the Convention.
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