What to expect from CITES CoP20 in Samarkand?
2025-11-17 17:00:00 / News
Representatives from more than 180 countries will gather in Samarkand to discuss key issues related to biodiversity conservation, the regulation of trade in threatened species, and the strengthening of international cooperation in nature protection.
The programme promises to be rich and multifaceted. Plenary sessions and dozens of thematic events will take place in the conference’s opening days, focusing on endangered species protection, wildlife monitoring technologies, sustainable use of natural resources, and new legislative initiatives. Special attention will be given to the presentation of the Samarkand Declaration, meetings addressing illegal wildlife trade, conservation of leopards and saiga antelopes and nature-based solutions to reduce human–wildlife conflict. A notable component of the programme will be the launch of the GEF-8 ecosystem restoration project in Uzbekistan.
In the second half of the conference, participants will discuss transboundary initiatives such as the conservation of sharks, elephants, pangolins, marine species and the rare felids of Central Asia. Presentations of national strategies — including Uzbekistan’s Ramsar strategy — committee meetings, scientific discussions and award ceremonies will also take place. The closing days will focus on integrating habitat-quality criteria into sustainable development policy and on practical measures for rhino conservation and strengthening collaboration among conservation networks. Samarkand will serve not only as a venue for critical decision-making but also as a symbol of the global community’s unity in the fight to preserve the planet’s wildlife.
Full programme available on the official CITES schedule: https://schedule.cop20.live/