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The biggest meeting for environmentalists since the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen takes place next week, and it is coming to Doha, Qatar.

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) takes place among great expectations. The UN has declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. But while there are good news in the bag to offer to governments during the meeting, there are some quite foul apples mixed in as well.

On the good side, there are proposals to lift CITES regulations from some species that are not in danger of extinction anymore, easing their trade regulations. This is probably due to successes of conservation projects, but it also poises the danger of reversing these species to endangered status again due to unregulated trade.

But there will be a lot of discussion on rhinos and ivory trade, with a lot of finger-pointing at China, who reportedly has imported 141 white rhinos from Africa since 2000. Most countries are not convinced this large number of a rare species is for zoos and tourism, however.

Marine issues will also play a central role. Simon Stuart, chair of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survivial Commission commented that the illegal, unmanaged, and unreported fishing is threatening many species such as sharks, bluefin tuna and other commercial fish.

Middle East

The Middle East is home to several vulnerable and endangered species, such as the Arabian Oryx, the White Tailed Fish Eagle, and the Nubian ibex. Perhaps the most stressed, critically endangered is the Northern Bald Ibis. While it was once one of the most popular birds in the Middle East, today there are less than 300 remaining.

Lack of awareness and conflicts in the region have given conservation efforts more of a backseat in the Middle East. However, lately several countries are coming together to promote conservation. The average Arab today is much more aware of the need to conserve species and work together for that aim.

For example, Qatar has several successful breeding programs for the Arabian Oryx, and it has been reintroduced into three natural reserves – Al Shahania, Ushaijrij and Mazhabyah. The species may be downgraded from endangered to vulnerable on CITES during this meeting.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates over the coming two weeks on the meeting. After the rather interesting events that took place in Copenhagen during the climate change meeting, it is particularly interesting to see if the more than 175 nations coming together can reach concrete agreements.

Meanwhile, do you think the meeting will be a success? Will this year really bring a reverse in the loss of biodiversity we’ve seen over the past years?