CITES

5149146
letters CITES filled in with images of wildlife
CoP20 call for public recommendations

The Service announces a 60-day public comment period for the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20). Recommendations for amendments to CITES Appendices, as well as recommendations for resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at CoP20 will be accepted through May 21, 2024.

View the full Federal Register notice for more information and instructions on how to submit comments. Search docket number FWS‒HQ‒IA‒2024‒0033.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is a global treaty to ensure international trade in wild plants and animals is legal, traceable, and biologically sustainable. As issues of wildlife use grow ever more complex, CITES provides tools to effectively conserve the world’s diverse natural resources.

The United States is one of 184 Parties, which includes 183 member countries and the European Union, that has agreed to implement the treaty to help control global over-exploitation of wildlife and the conservation of species.

What We Do

Our Services

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s International Affairs program coordinates domestic and international efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the world’s diverse wildlife and their habitats with a focus on foreign and domestic species of international concern. We envision a world where all people value nature and conserve living resources for the well-being of life on Earth.

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the International Affairs program carries out the provisions of CITES through its Division of Management Authority and Division of Scientific Authority.

more about us

Our Projects and Initiatives

International wildlife trade is a billion-dollar industry involving hundreds of millions of live plants and animals, as well as products. CITES provides a framework for cooperation and collaboration by its Parties to regulate and sustain trade while ensuring it does not threaten species' survival in the wild. 

A meeting of the Conference of the Parties takes place approximately every three years to discuss and negotiate changes to CITES Appendices and the implementation and enforcement of the treaty. The 20th meeting of the CoP (CoP20) is scheduled for late 2025.

CoP20: Planning Underway

How CITES Protects Species

Sustainable, legal use of wild animals and plants is better for both domestic and global economies than unchecked illegal trade, which can drive species and associated markets to extinction. Species are listed on Appendices that determine the level of trade that can be supported.

Advisory committees provide policy guidance and technical support, and use specialized knowledge to review listed species to inform the decision-making process.

More than a List

CITES works through a system of permits. A permit is required to import or export a CITES-listed species, whether a live specimen, part, product, or pet. Moving a listed species across international borders is considered trade, even if it’s for personal use. Permits are issued from the country of origin, and requirements vary depending on which appendix a species is listed on.

The Future of Conservation

As part of the United States’ effort to combat wildlife trafficking, our International Affairs program supports professionals working to advance and implement CITES policies in their countries through the CITES Master's Course.

More about what we do

Latest Stories and Topics