From decision-making to implementation: new CITES trade rules come into effect for 100s of species discussed at CITES CoP19

Just ahead of CITES 50^th anniversary, hundreds of species are accorded new regulatory measures today, 90 days since they were adopted at the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) in Panama City. The 183 governments and the EU, which comprise the 184 Parties to CITES – the international treaty that regulates global trade in wildlife – will apply new control measures to their trade practices for most* of the 562 species of wild animals and plants that have entered the Conventions’ Appendix II. The species affected include marine species, trees, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, birds, fish, and orchids. These are species with highly critical roles in the ecosystems they inhabit, in the daily lives of all humans, and in international commerce.

In addition to the amendments to the CITES Appendices, five new Resolutions, changes to more than 20 Resolutions and more than 360 decisions will also come into force today. Together, these legally-binding measures will be built into the national laws and practices of governments around the world to ensure that the trade in these species would remain legal, sustainable and traceable, and contribute to their long-term conservation.

CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, said, “CoP19 was a landmark meeting that shows our continued commitment to people living in harmony with wildlife against the backdrop of recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The large turnout of the Parties as well as the number of agreements adopted at CoP19 sent a clear signal of their determination to ensure sustainability in international trade of wildlife and safeguard our future. But the decisions were only a first step. Today, we start the process of implementing those decisions and so intentions are turned into transformative action on the ground.”

CITES Parties will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on 3 March 2023; they have been working together for half a century in meeting their international obligations under the Convention. Their aim is to achieve their vision of fully sustainable, legal and traceable international trade in CITES listed species by 2030.

(*delayed entry into force has been agreed on a few exceptional species, to allow Parties more time for their national trade measures to be put into place.)

Explanatory note:

CITES Parties adopted 45 of the 52 species proposals to change the listing status of over 500 species of wild animals and plants under CITES Appendices. 29 resolutions (revised or new) and 367 decisions were also adopted.