The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
CITES was adopted in Washington, D.C. on 3 March 1973, and entered into force on 1 July 1975. As of 2023, CITES has 183 Parties (182 countries and the European Union).
CITES lists over 35,000 species of animals and plants on three appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be affected by trade. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but that may become so if trade is not regulated. Appendix III lists species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked CITES for assistance in controlling trade.
CITES is implemented through a system of permits and certificates. Exporters and importers of CITES-listed species must obtain a permit from the competent authority in their country. This permit must be endorsed by the competent authority of the importing country before the shipment can take place.
CITES also provides for a number of other measures to regulate trade in CITES-listed species, such as marking requirements and record-keeping requirements.
The following are the subtopics of CITES:
- Appendices
- Permits and certificates
- Trade measures
- Enforcement
- Compliance
- Public awareness and education
- Research and monitoring
- Cooperation with other organizations
- Financing
- Secretariat
- Conference of the Parties
- Standing Committee
- Technical Committees
- Working Groups
- Secretariat
- Budget and financial regulations
- Relationship with other organizations
- Amendments to the Convention
- Depositary
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
CITES was adopted in Washington, D.C. on 3 March 1973, and entered into force on 1 July 1975. As of 2023, CITES has 183 Parties (182 countries and the European Union).
CITES lists over 35,000 species of animals and plants on three appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be affected by trade. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but that may become so if trade is not regulated. Appendix III lists species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked CITES for assistance in controlling trade.
CITES is implemented through a system of permits and certificates. Exporters and importers of CITES-listed species must obtain a permit from the competent authority in their country. This permit must be endorsed by the competent authority of the importing country before the shipment can take place.
CITES also provides for a number of other measures to regulate trade in CITES-listed species, such as marking requirements and record-keeping requirements.
The following are the subtopics of CITES:
- Appendices
- Permits and certificates
- Trade measures
- Enforcement
- Compliance
- Public awareness and education
- Research and monitoring
- Cooperation with other organizations
- Financing
- Secretariat
- Conference of the Parties
- Standing Committee
- Technical Committees
- Working Groups
- Secretariat
- Budget and financial regulations
- Relationship with other organizations
- Amendments to the Convention
- Depositary
Appendices
CITES lists over 35,000 species of animals and plants on three appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be affected by trade. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but that may become so if trade is not regulated. Appendix III lists species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked CITES for assistance in controlling trade.
Permits and certificates
Exporters and importers of CITES-listed species must obtain a permit from the competent authority in their country. This permit must be endorsed by the competent authority of the importing country before the shipment can take place.
Trade measures
CITES also provides for a number of other measures to regulate trade in CITES-listed species, such as marking requirements and record-keeping requirements.
Enforcement
CITES Parties are responsible for enforcing the Convention within their own territories. This includes investigating and prosecuting violations of the Convention, as well as seizing and confiscating illegal specimens.
Compliance
CITES Parties are also required to report to the Secretariat on their implementation of the Convention. This information is used to assess the effectiveness of the Convention and to identify areas where further action is needed.
Public awareness and education
CITES Parties are encouraged to raise public awareness of the Convention and its importance. This can be done through a variety of means, such as education campaigns, public events, and media outreach.
Research and monitoring
CITES Parties are also encouraged to conduct research on the status of CITES-listed species and the impact of trade on them. This information is used to inform the management of the Convention and to develop effective conservation measures.
Cooperation with other organizations
CITES works closely with other international organizations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), to promote the conservation of wild fauna and flora.
Financing
CITES is funded by contributions from the Parties. The Secretariat is responsible for managing the Convention’s finances and for ensuring that the funds are used in accordance with the Convention’s objectives.
Secretariat
The Secretariat is the permanent body of CITES. It is responsible for providing technical and administrative support to the Parties and for implementing the Convention’s decisions. The Secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
Conference of the Parties
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of CITES. It meets every two or three years to review the implementation of the Convention and to adopt new measures to strengthen its effectiveness.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee is a subsidiary body of the COP. It meets between COPs to provide advice and guidance to the Secretariat and to the Parties on the implementation of the Convention.
What is CITES?
CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
What are the three appendices of CITES?
CITES lists over 35,000 species of animals and plants on three appendices, according to the degree of protection they need. Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be affected by trade. Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but that may become so if trade is not regulated. Appendix III lists species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked CITES for assistance in controlling trade.
How does CITES work?
CITES is implemented through a system of permits and certificates. Exporters and importers of CITES-listed species must obtain a permit from the competent authority in their country. This permit must be endorsed by the competent authority of the importing country before the shipment can take place.
CITES also provides for a number of other measures to regulate trade in CITES-listed species, such as marking requirements and record-keeping requirements.
What are the benefits of CITES?
CITES has been successful in reducing the illegal trade in wildlife. It has also helped to raise awareness of the importance of protecting endangered species.
What are the challenges of CITES?
One of the challenges of CITES is that it is difficult to enforce. Another challenge is that the illegal trade in wildlife is a multi-billion dollar industry.
What can you do to help CITES?
You can help CITES by:
- Raising awareness of the importance of protecting endangered species.
- Reporting any suspected illegal trade in wildlife to the authorities.
- Supporting organizations that are working to protect endangered species.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a subtopic of CITES?
(A) Appendices
(B) Permits and certificates
(C) Trade measures
(D) Enforcement
(E) Public awareness and education
Answer
(E) Public awareness and education is not a subtopic of CITES. The subtopics of CITES are:
- Appendices
- Permits and certificates
- Trade measures
- Enforcement
- Compliance
- Public awareness and education
- Research and monitoring
- Cooperation with other organizations
- Financing
- Secretariat
- Conference of the Parties
- Standing Committee
- Technical Committees
- Working Groups
- Secretariat
- Budget and financial regulations
- Relationship with other organizations
- Amendments to the Convention
- Depositary
Question 2
CITES was adopted in which year?
(A) 1973
(B) 1975
(C) 1977
(D) 1979
(E) 1981
Answer
(A) CITES was adopted in 1973.
Question 3
As of 2023, how many Parties does CITES have?
(A) 180
(B) 181
(C) 182
(D) 183
(E) 184
Answer
(D) As of 2023, CITES has 183 Parties (182 countries and the European Union).
Question 4
CITES lists over how many species of animals and plants on three appendices?
(A) 10,000
(B) 20,000
(C) 30,000
(D) 40,000
(E) 50,000
Answer
(C) CITES lists over 35,000 species of animals and plants on three appendices.
Question 5
Appendix I lists species that are which of the following?
(A) Threatened with extinction
(B) Not necessarily threatened with extinction, but that may become so if trade is not regulated
(C) Protected in at least one country, which has asked CITES for assistance in controlling trade
(D) All of the above
(E) None of the above
Answer
(D) Appendix I lists species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be affected by trade.
Question 6
CITES is implemented through which of the following?
(A) A system of permits and certificates
(B) A system of fines and penalties
(C) A system of public awareness and education
(D) A system of research and monitoring
(E) All of the above
Answer
(A) CITES is implemented through a system of permits and certificates.