The 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is taking place in the historic city of Samarkand from 24 November to 5 December 2025.This forum is the key global platform aimed at ensuring sustainable control over the trade of more than 40,900 species of wild fauna and flora.

The significance of this forum for Uzbekistan is multifaceted, covering both international and national development goals:

1.Integration with national policies. Hosting CoP20 in Uzbekistan for the first time in Central Asia carries strategic importance. This event directly aligns with the goals of the “Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy and strengthens the country’s presence in the international agenda.

2.Priority of “green” development. It is no coincidence that the conference is being held in Uzbekistan during the “Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.” This highlights the country’s national commitment to transitioning to sustainable development and environmental protection, as reinforced in Priority Area 3 of the Strategy: “Water Conservation and Environmental Protection.”

3.Strengthening regional cooperation. Within the framework of CoP20, the adoption of the Samarkand Declaration — aimed at enhancing regional cooperation among Central Asian states — is expected. The declaration focuses on improving measures to combat illegal trade and on preserving regionally important species such as the snow leopard and the saiga antelope.

4.Enhancing CITES mandates. The conference agenda includes more than 100 issues to be discussed by delegations from 185 Parties. Key attention will be directed toward updating the list of protected species (CITES Appendices) and strengthening mechanisms to ensure the legality and sustainability of international trade.

CITES CoP20 is not merely an international event for Uzbekistan; it represents an important strategic milestone for implementing global environmental standards in national practice, strengthening regional cooperation, and advancing the country’s sustainable development goals.

Background: The CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was signed in 1973 and entered into force in 1975. Its core purpose is to ensure that international trade in more than 40,000 wild species does not threaten their survival. The Convention unites 184 states. Its supreme decision-making body, the Conference of the Parties (CoP), convenes every three years.

The Samarkand CoP20 marks the twentieth meeting of the Conference and is being held in the Central Asian region for the first time.