Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Strategic Plan 2021-2030

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was concluded on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. CITES provides a global framework for the legal and sustainable international trade in CITES-listed species. Today, CITES regulates trade in more than 36, 000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES is widely regarded as one of the most important international conservation instruments. Since 1975, the Conference of the Parties has adapted this framework to changing circumstances and, through the adoption of Resolutions and Decisions, has demonstrated an ability to construct practical solutions to increasingly complex wildlife trade and conservation challenges. 

The Conference of the Parties adopted its first strategic plan, the Strategic Vision through 2005, and an Action Plan at its 11th meeting (Gigiri, 2000). These were subsequently extended until the end of 2007 at the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Bangkok, 2004). 

Initially, at its 14th meeting (The Hague, 2007), and with amendments agreed at its 16th (Bangkok, 2013) and 17th (Johannesburg, 2016) meetings, the Conference of the Parties agreed a new Strategic Vision for CITES for the period 2008-2020. The agreed amendments describe the contribution of CITES’ activities to the achievement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the relevant Aichi Biodiversity Targets adopted by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its Goals and targets relevant to CITES. 

With this new Strategic Vision, the Conference of the Parties to CITES outlines the Convention’s direction for the 2021-2030 timeframe in fulfilment of its mandate. It is additionally recognized that Parties’ efforts to implement the Convention may also provide benefit to, and draw strength from, efforts being undertaken in other fora, and in this sense highlights the linkages between CITES and, inter alia, the processes and actions listed below: 

– the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals and targets relevant to CITES, including those for terrestrial and marine wildlife; 

– the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the post-2020 Biodiversity Framework being developed by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity; 

– the findings of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; and 

– relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly. 

The CITES Strategic Vision provides a framework for the future development of the CITES Resolutions and Decisions and provides guidance on goals and objectives to be achieved. The Conference of the Parties, through its Resolutions and Decisions, will determine actions to be taken by Parties, the Committees or the Secretariat, as appropriate. The Strategic Vision also serves the Parties as a tool for the prioritization of activities, and decisions on how best to fund them, in light of the need for the efficient and transparent use of resources.