About CITES
- 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.
