The corresponding agreement was signed by the Minister of Ecology of Uzbekistan Aziz Abdukhakimov and the Secretary General of CITES Ivonne Higuero during the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD CoP16), held in Cali, Colombia.

“The signing of the Host Country Agreement during CBD CoP16 highlights the importance of cooperation in combating biodiversity loss and illegal wildlife trade. We are pleased to welcome the international community to Samarkand for COP20 in 2025, where we will join our efforts to protect the rich biological heritage of our planet,” said Aziz Abdukhakimov.

In turn, Ivonne Higuero expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan’s offer to host CITES COP20 in the historic city of Samarkand. “Holding the meeting in this ancient city will bring both a sense of history and a vision of the future – a future of Peace with Nature, in which international trade in wildlife is well regulated, problems associated with wildlife crime are significantly reduced, and CITES-listed species thrive in the wild.”

Uzbekistan has become the first country in Central Asia to host a meeting of 184 parties (183 countries + the European Union) to CITES and a wide range of stakeholders in the field of conservation and trade in wild animals, the Ministry of Ecology noted.

The global event, which will be held during the Year of Environment and Green Economy, is expected to attract more than 4,000 participants and delegates.

COP20 will provide an opportunity for CITES parties to engage in discussions on the sustainability, legality, and traceability of international wildlife trade, species conservation, and sustainable resource management, the Ministry of Ecology noted. The Convention remains one of the world’s most powerful tools for wildlife conservation by regulating international trade in nearly 41,000 species of wild animals and plants. Uzbekistan, home to a wide range of CITES-listed species, has been a party to the Convention since 1997.

The CITES Convention was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975, so the 20th anniversary meeting of CITES COP20 in 2025 will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the entry into force of the convention.

https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2024/12/23/cites/