This project is supporting the overarching goal of combatting illegal trade of endangered species in a more transparent, controllable, and efficient way by proposing improved processes and digital technologies
Author: Larissa Langlotz, International Delivery Manager, cBrain A/S.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) protects endangered wild animals and plants by controlling international trade of species listed in CITES´s Appendices. As part of the regional Bioamazon Project, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) aims to strengthen CITES enforcement in the country with support from the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) and funding from the German development bank (KfW).
Guyana’s location in the Amazon rainforest contributes to its rich biodiversity and important role in tackling global climate change. Therefore, this project’s primary goal, which is proposing processes and technologies to combat illegal trade of endangered species in a more transparent, controllable, and efficient way, is an issue of global importance.
As Denmark has been named the number 1 country in public digitalization, leading e-government development, by the United Nations for the second time in 2020, cBrain has taken its Danish CITES experience from its long-lasting partnership with the Danish Agency of Environmental Protection to the international realm by completing this consultancy project for the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC).
In relation to CITES, cBrain has previously designed and built a system to manage this process for the Danish government using cBrain’s standard software platform F2. During this project, cBrain A/S helped the GWCMC by making use of cBrain’s familiarity with CITES regulations and best practices for electronic permitting systems, as well as government process automation and compliance to international regulations.
The objective of the consultancy was to document and analyze existing CITES workflows, and to recommend streamlined digital processes for an improved digital CITES permitting solution for the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC).
This work was characterized by a constructive and positive synergy between the GWCMC and cBrain, where it became apparent that numerous benefits can be achieved by transforming Guyana’s current CITES process with the use of new digital tools. These tools can be provided using a 100% standard platform, which can be configured and adapted to match the local requirements of the country.
As part of this project, cBrain collaboratively built the basis for GWCMC’s future digital CITES solution. cBrain facilitated a series of workshops together with GWCMC employees and several staff members from relevant departments. Based on these workshops and written materials provided, cBrain produced four analytical reports and final recommendation for an improved digital CITES solution and management in Guyana.
As a result of this consultancy, which lasted from October 2020 to March 2021, cBrain has thoroughly documented GWCMC’s existing processes for issuing CITES licenses and permits; recommended streamlined, digital workflows for improved CITES management; and provided the key analyses needed to procure and implement a modern CITES software solution, including comprehensive functional requirements, system architecture, vendor evaluation criteria, market research, and a work plan for the implementation. Thus, the GWCMC is now well-positioned to procure a new CITES software system, which will improve staff productivity, transparency and visibility of species quotas, and conservation outcomes.
Published in the Bioamazon Newsletter, edition n. 9, May-June 2021.
