CITES Completes 50 Years: Wildlife Trade Treaty Anniversary
Why in the news
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) completes 50 years on 1 July 2025, counted from its entry into force in 1975.
Key facts
- Signed on 3 March 1973 in Geneva; entered into force on 1 July 1975, after the tenth ratification.
- 185 Parties: 184 states and the European Union. India has been a member since 1976.
- Covers over 40,900 species, subspecies and populations in three appendices.
- The Secretariat sits in Geneva and is administered by UNEP; Ivonne Higuero (Panama) has led it since 2018 as the first woman in the post.
| Appendix | Coverage |
|---|---|
| I | Species threatened with extinction; trade is highly restricted |
| II | Species not necessarily threatened but needing controlled trade; the largest group |
| III | Species protected in at least one country that seeks help from others to control trade |
About CITES
CITES is an international agreement that regulates cross-border trade in wild animals and plants so that commerce does not threaten their survival. It was drafted after a 1963 resolution of the IUCN. The UN General Assembly chose 3 March, the signing date, as World Wildlife Day in 2013.
Exam angle
- Remember the two dates: 1973 signing and 1975 entry into force.
- Appendix I gives the strictest protection, so it is a common option in matching questions.
- Headquarters and head: Geneva and Ivonne Higuero.