CITES Marks 50 Years at CoP20 in Samarkand

• Full Form: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Purpose: Legally binding treaty regulating international trade in wild animals and plants to prevent threats to species survival.
• History:
  • Proposed by IUCN in 1963; text finalized in 1973, Washington D.C.
  • Entered into force on 1 July 1975.
• Membership: 185 Parties (2025), one of the largest global conservation agreements.
• Mechanism: Three Appendices provide graded protection and trade restrictions.
• Key Functions:
  • Permits and certificates for regulated wildlife trade.
  • Enforcement against illegal trade.
  • Promotion of sustainable use, scientific assessments, and global cooperation.

CoP20(Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 2025)

• Significance: 20th Conference of the Parties; marks CITES’ 50th anniversary.
• First CoP in Central Asia, fostering regional conservation dialogue.

Major Outcomes

• Species Additions & Uplistings:
  • 77 species added to Appendices.
  • Appendix I (strictest protection):
    • Sharks & rays: oceanic whitetip, whale shark, all manta & devil rays.
    • Iguanas: Galápagos land iguanas (3 species), marine iguana.
    • African reptiles: Home’s hinge-back tortoise.
• Downlistings due to Conservation Success:
  • Saiga antelope (Kazakhstan): moved from Appendix II with export flexibility.
  • Guadalupe fur seal (Mexico): downlisted from Appendix I to II.
• India’s Role:
  • Successfully opposed EU proposal to list guggul (Commiphora wightii) in Appendix II, citing lack of scientific assessment.