Mandate and primary focus
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty that seeks to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It regulates international trade through a permit and certificate system and categorises species under three Appendices, based on risk.
Key goals
CITES aims to achieve legal, traceable and biologically sustainable trade in species listed under its Appendices. Member countries (Parties) are required to adopt domestic legislation, designate national Management and Scientific Authorities, and enforce compliance.
Changes to species listings and trade controls are debated at triennial Conferences of Parties (CoP).
The convention also employs compliance mechanisms such as review of significant trade, reporting obligations, and potential trade suspensions for non-compliance.
Governance and institutional structure
CITES is governed through a layered structure. The Conference of Parties (CoP) is the supreme decision-making body, meeting every three years.
Between CoPs, the Standing Committee, Animals Committee and Plants Committee provide technical, scientific and policy guidance.
The Secretariat, hosted under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), supports implementation, coordinates between Parties, and administers the convention’s operations.
Tools, data and services
CITES provides access to essential data and decision-support tools. Its Species+ / CITES Checklist API offers taxonomic, legal, distributional and trade information on species protected under CITES.
The convention’s trade database (maintained via UNEP-WCMC) documents millions of records of international wildlife trade.
Member countries submit annual and biennial reports that detail their implementation actions, trade volumes, compliance issues and national legislation status.
Relation to sustainable finance
While primarily a biodiversity and trade instrument, CITES is increasingly relevant to sustainable finance and ESG frameworks. Its datasets and trade monitoring help financiers, conservation investors and governments assess risks related to wildlife trade. In addition, CITES engages in dialogues and pilot actions on sustainable wildlife finance, exploring funding mechanisms that support conservation while aligning with regulated trade pathways.
