Opening of CITES CoP20 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Press release CITES CoP20 n°3

CITES Conferences of the Parties are not just hot air. Their decisions are binding. CITES, also known as the Washington Convention, is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 185 countries are signatories.

Appendix I lists species threatened with extinction. International trade in these species is prohibited unless special import and export permits are granted, for example for scientific purposes.
Appendix II regulates international trade to prevent exploitation that is incompatible with the survival of the species. International trade is then subject to an export permit and possibly an import permit. A species may be listed in Appendix II with an amendment prohibiting all international trade (zero quota).
Appendix III allows for the control of international trade in a species from a country that needs the cooperation of other parties to prevent illegal or unsustainable exploitation.

Robin des Bois (Robin Hood) has been an accredited observer to CITES since 1989. The Paris-based NGO is represented in Samarkand by Charlotte Nithart.

Charlotte Nithart and two Uzbek customs officers responsible for combating the smuggling of animal and plant species with their dog ‘Vafo’ (‘Devotion’)
November 24, 2025, in front of the Silkroad Samarkand Expo Center, headquarters of CITES COP20 © Robin des Bois

During this 20th Conference of the Parties, the diversity of the plant and animal kingdoms will be the subject of debate.

Brazilwood, or pau-brasil, which has been exploited in a typically colonial manner for the production of bows for violins and other bowed string instruments, will attempt to gain access to Appendix I via a proposal from Brazil, the only country in its range.

The European Union, including France, the main consumer country, is proposing the inclusion in Appendix II of frogs of the genus Pelophylax, imported mainly from Türkiye and Albania. Robin des Bois and the German NGO Pro Wildlife are the instigators of this proposal.

Faced with an unprecedented wave of poaching and smuggling, the European Union, supported by Panama, wants all species of the genus Anguilla to be listed in Appendix II.

The nine species of manta and devil rays, which are victims of the international trade in their dried gills, are the subject of a proposal by countries in the Americas and Africa to transfer them from Appendix II to Appendix I.

The seven species of guitarfish that are victims of international trade in their fins, already listed in Appendix II, are the subject of a proposed amendment by 21 countries in Africa, America and Asia to include a zero export quota in Appendix II.

Transfers from Appendix II to Appendix I of the oceanic whitetip shark and the whale shark, proposed by countries in America, Asia, Africa, Oceania, the European Union and the United Kingdom, are hoped for.

Seven new species of sea cucumbers, other marine animals dear to Robin des Bois, could be added to Appendix II on the proposal of the European Union.

South Africa is proposing the listing of dried Haliotis midae abalone in Appendix II. They are subject to massive poaching and smuggling to Asia. The situation of abalone in South Africa foreshadows the plundering of other marine molluscs in the European Union.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is proposing the listing in Appendix I of okapis, who are victims of poaching and international smuggling for their skin, bones and fat, and golden-bellied mangabeys, who are victims of international trade for the exotic pet market.

Dorcas gazelles, victims of international trade in their horns and skins and the international pet market, are proposed for inclusion in Appendix II by nine African countries, including Nigeria and Tunisia.

Two-toed sloths and Hoffmann’s two-fingered sloths could be added to Appendix II on the proposal of Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama. They are heavily trafficked for the international pet trade.

Birds as diverse as song seedeaters, white-backed vultures, Rüppell’s vultures and African hornbills of the genera Bycanistes and Ceratogymna are the subject of proposals for inclusion in Appendices I or II by Brazil and 14 African countries.

Fifteen species of tarantulas that are victims of international trade for the pet market could be added to Appendix II on the proposal of Argentina, Bolivia and Panama.

Rattlesnakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, which are victims of international trade in their skins and dried extracts for medicinal purposes, are the subject of a proposal for inclusion in Appendix II by Bolivia and Mexico.

Home’s hinge-back tortoises could be moved from Appendix II to Appendix I on the proposal of Cameroon, Guinea and Togo. They are subject to high-intensity trafficking for the international pet market.

All these animal species are repeatedly quoted in the information and analysis bulletins on animal poaching and smuggling “On the Trail” produced by Robin des Bois. The latest issue was published on November 21.

Robin des Bois has been supporting Brazil in its fight to protect the Brazilwood or pau-brasil, its national tree, since 2022 during the previous CITES CoP in Panama*.

Robin des Bois and its NGO partners will obviously be attentive to any new surprise developments in the trade in elephant ivory, all other types of ivory, and rhino horn