Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Context: Wildlife experts from various countries are gathering in Geneva, Switzerland, for the 34th meeting of the Animals Committee of CITES. About CITES CITES was adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975. It is an international agreement comprising 185 Parties (184 countries and the European Union). The agreement regulates the international trade of wild animals and plants. Its primary objective is to ensure that international trade is legal, sustainable, and traceable, while also ensuring that it does not threaten the survival of wildlife species. Functions of CITES CITES controls international trade through a system of permits and certificates issued under specific conditions. It regulates the export, import, re-export, and introduction from the sea of the following: Live and dead wild animals and plants. Their parts, derivatives, and processed products. Although CITES is legally binding on member nations, each country must implement it through its own national legislation. CITES Secretariat The CITES Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. It is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Conference of the Parties (COP) Member nations meet at the 'Conference of the Parties' every 2–3 years. During this meeting, they: Review the implementation of the agreement. They update the list of species requiring protection. They make decisions regarding wildlife trade and conservation. CITES Appendices Appendix I Includes species threatened with extinction. These species receive the highest level of protection. Commercial international trade is generally prohibited. Appendix II Includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction but could become so if trade is not regulated. International trade is permitted only with an export permit. The exporting country must ensure the following: The specimens were obtained legally. The trade will not harm the species' survival or its role…
