SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan— Officials from around the globe will convene in Samarkand Nov. 24 for the triennial conference of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The CITES treaty regulates trade in imperiled animals and plants and plays a critical role in combating wildlife exploitation, a key driver of the extinction crisis.

Dangerous bids to open trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn and gut protections for giraffes are among the proposals for decisions at the conference. Savannah elephant populations declined by more than 50% over the past 75 years, and poaching threatens all five rhino species because of continued high demand for their horns.

The meeting, informally called “CoP20,” will also consider an array of proposals to limit or ban trade in wildlife ranging from colorful hornbills to rose-hued tarantulas and sharks and sea cucumbers, as well as proposals to remove key protections for fur seals and peregrine falcons. The proposals could impact 14 mammals, 16 birds, 68 reptiles, four amphibians, 74 sharks and rays, 17 fish and 23 invertebrates. Many additional proposals pertain to trees and plants.

“The world is a dark place for wildlife right now, but this conference could offer a ray of light for so many amazing species threatened by the wildlife trade,” said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, who will be attending. “Overexploitation threatens to wipe some of our most endangered animals off the planet, and we need real progress at this meeting to combat the global extinction crisis.”

Center staff will be in Uzbekistan starting Nov. 22. The meeting will conclude Dec. 5.

From well-known and beloved animals such as hyenas, marine iguanas and rattlesnakes to little-known geckos, galliwasps and seed finches, a great diversity of wildlife will be discussed. A large number of proposals cover reptiles, as more than 21% of known reptiles are threatened with extinction.

Historically, the United States has been a vocal conservation leader under the treaty. But the Trump administration submitted no proposals to increase protections for any species this year and instead only proposed measures that would loosen protections, including for peregrine falcons and fur seals. In contrast, the United States joined 14 proposals at the last CITES meeting in 2022.

Nations will also decide on whether to take on additional work to review protections for pangolins, aquarium fish, elephants, leopards, songbirds, lions, rhinos and more. In addition, the parties will review Mexico’s efforts to protect the imperiled vaquita and totoaba to determine if the nation is complying with the treaty.

More information on key agenda items can be found in the Center’s briefing documents in English or Spanish. Among those covered are the following species:

• Giraffes from eight southern African countries are proposed for removal from the Convention’s protections, even though giraffes have suffered an overall population decline and most trade in giraffe specimens stems from that region.
• Sharks and rays could receive major listing changes to close trade loopholes for fins, meat and poorly identified species.
• Sea cucumbers from the Indo-Pacific that are highly imperiled from consumption will be considered for much-needed trade restrictions.
• Tarantulas from South America may receive trade protections to counter growing pet-trade demand.
• African hornbills are highlighted for tighter controls due to recent international demand for their heads and identification challenges.
• Reptiles, including geckos, marine iguanas, snakes and galliwasps, will be under review, driven by trade for their skins and as pets.