TRAFFIC programme of Side Events at CITES CoP20 will drive action for nature

Our programme focuses on strengthening biodiversity protection, enhancing enforcement, and ensuring the legality and sustainability of global wildlife trade, building on collaborative approaches with governments, international bodies, and experts.

Key Themes and Highlights of the Programme:

Illegal Wildlife Trade and Enforcement:

• On 25 November (12.15-13:45) in the Saiga room TRAFFIC will launch its flagship 'Skin and Bones' report during the TigerTrade, Captive Tiger Facilities and the Law side event, looking at 25 years of global tiger trafficking seizure data, alongside a new report assessing the legal frameworks of 12 tiger range countries to reveal critical loopholes.
• On 28 November (12:15-13:45) in the Saker Falcon room, the event ‘The Illusion of Legality: Wildlife Laundering in International Trade’ will showcase global cases and discuss gpolicy recommendations to close loopholes.
• International cooperation will be addressed on 24 November (13.00-14.30) in the Bukhara Deer room at the CITES Enforcement - China and the European Union, fostering effective wildlife trade enforcement across global trade chains.

Data, Monitoring, and Regional Cooperation:

A central focus will be on the power of data sharing and the development of essential tools.

• On 26 November (17.15-18-45) in the Central Asian Tortoise room we will provide an update on the CITES AIA-ID Initiative, a database developed to assist global experts in efficiently updating identification materials for all CITES Appendix I animal species.
• We will showcase successful regional efforts at a side event on Data sharing as an effective tool to support coordinated responses to illegal wildlife trade on 27 November (12.15-13.45) in the Saker Falcon room, including a demonstration of a new digital database developed for Kyrgyzstan to enhance CITES implementation.
• We will present key developments to the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS 2.0), detailing how science can more effectively inform policy and targeted law enforcement on 28 November (19.00-20.30) in the Saker Falcon room

Sustainability and Species-Specific Action:

Our events will cover a diverse range of CITES-listed species and vital trade issues:

• Central Asia and the Samarkand Declaration: A landmark event will showcase the Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan, a historic commitment by five Central Asian nations to strengthen biodiversity protection and combat illegal wildlife trade in the region on 24 November (13.00-14.30) in the Saiga room.
• Sustainable Trade: We will address the challenges of ensuring sustainable and legal trade in over 1,500 CITES-listed Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs), using the example of Nepal's Jatamansi/Spikenard on 3 December (12.15-13.45) Markhor room.
• Marine Species: Sessions will be dedicated to understanding the sustainability and enforcement challenges for ranched aquatic species on 28 November (17.15-18.45) in the Saiga room and the urgent need for trade, conservation, and management attention for Deepwater Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras on 4 December (19.00-20.30) in the Markhor room
• Live Animal Trade: The importance of legality is addressed on 4 December (17.15-18.45) in the Bukhara Deer room with the event Ensuring Legality and Sustainability of Wild Animal Trade, presenting research from live animal trade projects in Central Asia and China.

Policy and Demand Reduction:

• We will review a decade of global efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade by actively reducing consumer demand in the session 'A Decade of Demand Reduction' taking place in the Markhor room on 29 November (12.15-13.45), sharing success stories and methodologies for changing buyer behaviour.
• We will also examine the trade dynamics and implementation gaps concerning Asian Big Cats & CITES (26 November (19.00-20.30) Central Asian Tortoise room.).

Delegates are encouraged to review the full schedule and join us to contribute to these vital conversations that will shape the future of CITES implementation and global wildlife conservation.

Find the full schedule, dates, and room details for TRAFFIC's events here:
CITES CoP20 Side Events

For the complete schedule of all CITES CoP20 side events, please visit: 
CITES Full Schedule