As Parties prepare for the 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES, the Convention faces one of the most extensive agendas in its history. With more than one hundred items tabled for discussion, there is growing concern that the expanding workload risks undermining the Convention’s ability to deliver its Vision for 2030. That Vision is explicit. By 2030 all international trade in wild fauna and flora should be legal and sustainable.

In response to this challenge, the African Wildlife Economy Institute (AWEI) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) have jointly released a detailed policy brief, Streamlining CITES, to support constructive corridor discussions at CoP20. The document argues that CITES can only meet its 2030 Vision by refocusing on its core purpose and ensuring that its institutions operate strictly within their mandated functions. 

Prepared by a joint team from AWEI and the CIC, including Alexandra Kalandarishvili, Policy Coordinator at the CIC, the brief proposes practical institutional reforms centred on effectiveness and efficiency. It highlights that CITES’ three core pillars – the CoP, the Secretariat, and the Parties – must return to their foundational roles. The CoP should focus on amending the Appendices, the Secretariat on administering them, and the Parties on issuing trade permits based on legal and scientific requirements.

A central concern raised in the brief is the scale and scope of the CoP agenda. The authors suggest that a significant proportion of current items fall outside the Convention’s core functions, diverting resources from the essential task of ensuring sustainable and legal trade. The brief provides a detailed review of the draft CoP20 agenda and recommends a more disciplined and streamlined approach for future meetings.

Looking to the future, the authors outline a simplified agenda for CoP21, focused on Appendix amendments, core resolutions, and strengthened permitting processes. They also propose that online meetings could reduce costs, improve accessibility, and support greater global participation.

The CIC is proud to have contributed to this timely policy brief. As an organisation grounded in applied science and sustainable use, we look forward to working with Parties and partners in Samarkand to advance these important discussions and ensure that CITES remains fit for purpose.

Read the full brief: Streamlining CITES – An AWEI Policy Brief for corridor discussions at CITES CoP20.

Media Contact:

Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: tristan.breijer@cic-wildlife.org
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org.