Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

From November 24 to December 5, Samarkand hosted the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20). The event took place at the Expocenter of the Silk Road Samarkand tourist complex. This made Samarkand the first city in Central Asia to hold such a large-scale conference under this Convention.

More than 3,000 delegates from 184 countries and the European Union, along with representatives of government institutions, international organizations, research centers, and non-governmental structures, participated in the forum.

The conference focused on enhancing international mechanisms for regulating trade in endangered species, strengthening global measures for conserving biodiversity, and expanding international cooperation.

The opening ceremony featured remarks by Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme; Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environmental Issues and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change; and Yvonne Higuera, Secretary-General of CITES.

The event highlighted Uzbekistan’s collaboration with global partners such as TRAFFIC, INTERPOL, Fauna & Flora International, and its involvement in regional initiatives including CAMI, CADI, and Ramsar. During the conference, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan signed the Samarkand Declaration, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade.

The Declaration and its 2026–2032 Action Plan provide for the establishment of national task forces, the expansion of operational information exchange, and the creation of a regional network to counter illegal trade.

The National Central Bureau (NCB) of Interpol under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan attended the conference in recognition of the crucial role played by Interpol in combating wildlife crime.

Delegates reviewed joint efforts to counter environmental crime, including poaching, illegal trade, and dismantling transnational criminal networks. The Interpol NCB of the Ministry of Internal Affairs presented an informational stand featuring video materials, printed resources, and content highlighting international special operations aimed at preventing environmental offenses.

A particular focus was placed on strengthening the capacity of law enforcement and regulatory bodies on both a regional and international level through the effective use of Interpol mechanisms.

CITES CoP20 offered a rich 12-day program consisting of plenary sessions, discussions on proposed amendments to the Convention’s Appendices, thematic panels, and high-level meetings. The conference served as an important platform for exchanging experiences, coordinating joint operational efforts, and enhancing cooperation among national law enforcement agencies.

Key discussions centered on combating illegal logging, illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking, and related environmental crimes.

Interpol National Central Bureau, MIA of the Republic of Uzbekistan