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CITES CoP20 in Samarkand: 50 Years and 77 Species Added

11 December 20251 min read
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGYCITES CoP20 inSamarkand: 50Years and 77Species Added11 December 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

CITES held its CoP20 in Samarkand, coinciding with the treaty’s golden jubilee, and India won a point on guggul.

Key facts

  • CITES: a binding treaty on international wildlife trade; proposed by IUCN in 1963, finalised in 1973 at Washington D.C., in force from 1 July 1975.
  • Membership: 185 Parties in 2025.
  • India: blocked the EU’s guggul (Commiphora wightii) proposal, citing missing scientific assessment.
ChangeSpecies
Appendix I additionsWhale shark, oceanic whitetip, manta and devil rays, Galápagos land iguanas, marine iguana, Home’s hinge-back tortoise
DownlistedGuadalupe fur seal (Mexico), Appendix I to II; saiga antelope (Kazakhstan) also eased

Exam angle

  • Appendix I means the strictest protection.
  • First CoP in Central Asia.

Test yourself

1. Where was CITES CoP20, marking the treaty's 50th anniversary, held?

The notes say CoP20 was in Samarkand and was the first in Central Asia.

2. Which species did India help keep out of Appendix II after an EU proposal at CITES CoP20?

India opposed listing guggul (Commiphora wightii), citing lack of scientific assessment.

3. When did CITES enter into force?

Text was finalised in 1973 and the treaty took effect on 1 July 1975.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 11 December 2025 (18 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizDecember 2025

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