This year I will be engaged in an extensive process to prepare for the 16th meeting of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - what we call Cites. The convention, which includes wild fauna and flora, takes place in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2013. As part of the preparatory process, I will be engaging stakeholders with a view to reaching national consensus on proposals relating to international trade and Cites-listed species. This will include discussions on whether or not to approach the international community with a proposal to trade in rhino horn. This will entail engaging major role-players, including international and regional partners, as well as potential consumer states.