50 Years of CITES

Source: DTE

Subject: Environment

Context: CITES marked its 50th anniversary at CoP20 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where member nations adopted major species protection decisions and debated livelihoods, sustainable use, and wildlife trade governance.

About 50 Years of CITES:

• What Is CITES? CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is a legally binding multilateral treaty regulating international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure it does not threaten species survival.

• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is a legally binding multilateral treaty regulating international trade in wild animals and plants to ensure it does not threaten species survival.

• History:

• Conceived by IUCN (1963) and text finalized in 1973 (Washington D.C.). Entered into force on 1 July 1975. Membership: 185 Parties (as of 2025), making it one of the world’s largest conservation agreements. Operates through three Appendices (I, II, III) providing graded trade restrictions.

• Conceived by IUCN (1963) and text finalized in 1973 (Washington D.C.).

• Entered into force on 1 July 1975.

• Membership: 185 Parties (as of 2025), making it one of the world’s largest conservation agreements.

• Operates through three Appendices (I, II, III) providing graded trade restrictions.

• Key Functions of CITES:

• Regulates international wildlife trade via permits and certificates. Maintains Appendices that assign protection levels based on extinction risk. Coordinates enforcement against illegal wildlife trade. Promotes sustainable use, scientific assessment, and global cooperation.

• Regulates international wildlife trade via permits and certificates.

• Maintains Appendices that assign protection levels based on extinction risk.

• Coordinates enforcement against illegal wildlife trade.

• Promotes sustainable use, scientific assessment, and global cooperation.

About 2025 CITES Summit (CoP20):

• What It Is? The 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) is the decision-making summit held every 2–3 years, shaping global wildlife trade policy.

• The 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) is the decision-making summit held every 2–3 years, shaping global wildlife trade policy.

• Hosted by Uzbekistan (Samarkand) — first CoP in Central Asia. Marked the 50th anniversary of CITES.

• Hosted by Uzbekistan (Samarkand) — first CoP in Central Asia.

• Marked the 50th anniversary of CITES.

• Major Outcomes Species Additions & Uplistings

• Species Additions & Uplistings

• 77 species added to CITES Appendices. Sharks & rays (oceanic whitetip, whale shark; all manta & devil rays) added to Appendix I. Galápagos land iguanas (3 species) and marine iguana added to Appendix I. African reptiles such as Home’s hinge-back tortoise added to Appendix I.

• 77 species added to CITES Appendices.

• Sharks & rays (oceanic whitetip, whale shark; all manta & devil rays) added to Appendix I.

• Galápagos land iguanas (3 species) and marine iguana added to Appendix I.

• African reptiles such as Home’s hinge-back tortoise added to Appendix I.

• Downlistings due to Conservation Success:

• Saiga antelope (Kazakhstan) removed from Appendix II with export flexibility. Guadalupe fur seal (Mexico) downlisted from Appendix I added to II.

• Saiga antelope (Kazakhstan) removed from Appendix II with export flexibility.

• Guadalupe fur seal (Mexico) downlisted from Appendix I added to II.

• India’s Role:

• India successfully opposed EU proposal to list guggul (Commiphora wightii) in Appendix II, citing lack of scientific assessment.