Nations to Meet in Uzbekistan to Debate Wildlife Trade Protections – Center for Biological Diversity

Report on the CITES CoP20 Conference and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Global Governance for Biodiversity Conservation

The 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is scheduled to convene in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This triennial conference is a critical platform for global governance in combating wildlife exploitation, a primary driver of biodiversity loss. The decisions made will directly impact the international community’s progress toward achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), by addressing SDG Target 15.7, which calls for urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species.

Advancing SDG 15: Protecting Life on Land

A significant portion of the CoP20 agenda focuses on terrestrial species, with proposals that will either strengthen or weaken the global commitment to SDG 15. The discussions represent a critical juncture for halting biodiversity loss and protecting threatened species from extinction.

Key Terrestrial Species Proposals:

• African Elephants and Rhinos: Proposals to permit trade in elephant ivory and rhino horn pose a direct threat to SDG Target 15.7. With Savannah elephant populations having declined by over 50% in the last 75 years and all rhino species threatened by poaching, any move to legitimize trade could undermine conservation efforts.
• Giraffes: A proposal to remove CITES protections for giraffe populations in eight southern African countries is under consideration. This is contentious given the species’ overall population decline and would run counter to the objectives of SDG 15.5 to prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• Reptiles: Numerous proposals concern the trade in reptiles, including geckos, snakes, and galliwasps, driven by demand for skins and the pet trade. With over 21% of known reptile species threatened with extinction, these discussions are vital for protecting this highly vulnerable class of animals.
• Other Species: Further proposals aim to regulate trade in African hornbills, South American tarantulas, pangolins, leopards, and songbirds, all of which are crucial for maintaining terrestrial ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Upholding SDG 14: Conserving Life Below Water

The conference will also address the conservation of marine and aquatic ecosystems, aligning with the objectives of SDG 14. Proposals aim to regulate the trade in marine species to prevent overexploitation and ensure the sustainable use of ocean resources.

Key Marine Species Proposals:

1. Sharks and Rays: Major listing changes are proposed to close trade loopholes for fins and meat, directly addressing SDG Target 14.4, which seeks to end overfishing and destructive harvesting practices.
2. Sea Cucumbers: Highly imperiled sea cucumber species from the Indo-Pacific are being considered for trade restrictions to combat over-consumption and protect marine ecosystems.
3. Fur Seals and Marine Iguanas: Proposals concerning the protection levels for fur seals and marine iguanas will be reviewed, impacting the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Global Partnerships and Institutional Frameworks (SDG 16 & 17)

The CITES CoP20 serves as a testament to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), bringing nations together to address a shared global challenge. However, the effectiveness of this partnership depends on the commitment of individual member states. The United States, historically a conservation leader, has submitted proposals to loosen protections for species like peregrine falcons and fur seals, a notable shift from its previous engagement. Furthermore, the review of Mexico’s compliance with its treaty obligations to protect the vaquita and totoaba highlights the role of CITES in strengthening institutional accountability (SDG 16) and ensuring that international environmental laws are upheld to combat illicit wildlife trafficking.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses issues related to the protection of biodiversity and international cooperation, connecting directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main SDGs identified are:

   • SDG 15: Life on Land – This is the most prominent SDG, as the article’s central theme is the protection of terrestrial species like elephants, rhinos, giraffes, reptiles, and hornbills from the threats of international trade and poaching. It discusses population declines and the risk of extinction, which are core concerns of SDG 15.
   • SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article explicitly mentions threats to marine and aquatic life, including proposals to regulate trade in “sharks and rays,” “sea cucumbers,” and “marine iguanas.” This directly aligns with SDG 14’s objective to conserve and sustainably use marine resources.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The entire context of the article is the CITES conference, where “officials from around the globe will convene.” This represents a global partnership and international cooperation to address the transboundary issue of wildlife trafficking, which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the specific issues discussed, the following targets can be identified:

   • Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
     • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.” The article highlights this target by discussing the threat of extinction for numerous species. It notes that “overexploitation threatens to wipe some of our most endangered animals off the planet” and that “more than 21% of known reptiles are threatened with extinction.”
     • Target 15.7: “Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.” This target is central to the article. It directly mentions that the CITES treaty “plays a critical role in combating wildlife exploitation” and discusses specific threats like “poaching threatens all five rhino species because of continued high demand for their horns” and dangerous bids to “open trade in elephant ivory.”
     • Target 15.c: “Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species…” The CITES conference itself is a mechanism for enhancing global support. The meeting of nations to decide on trade regulations for species like pangolins, elephants, and leopards is a direct application of this target.
   • Under SDG 14 (Life Below Water):
     • Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices…” The article addresses this by mentioning proposals for “sharks and rays” to “close trade loopholes for fins, meat” and for “sea cucumbers that are highly imperiled from consumption” to be considered for “much-needed trade restrictions.” This is a direct effort to regulate the harvesting and trade of marine species.
   • Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
     • Target 17.16: “Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships…” The CITES conference is a prime example of this global partnership in action, bringing together nations to make collective decisions on international trade regulations to protect wildlife. The article describes it as a conference where “officials from around the globe will convene.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not mention official SDG indicator codes, but it provides data and describes actions that serve as de facto indicators for measuring progress:

   • For SDG 15 Targets:
     • Population trends of threatened species: The article provides a direct quantitative indicator by stating, “Savannah elephant populations declined by more than 50% over the past 75 years.” Tracking such population trends is a key indicator of success or failure in conservation efforts (Target 15.5).
     • Proportion of species threatened with extinction: The mention that “more than 21% of known reptiles are threatened with extinction” serves as a baseline indicator against which future progress can be measured (Target 15.5).
     • Policies and regulations on wildlife trade: The proposals to be considered at the CITES conference, such as those to “gut protections for giraffes” or, conversely, to “limit or ban trade” in various species, are indicators of policy actions being taken to combat trafficking (Target 15.7). The outcome of these proposals measures the progress.
   • For SDG 14 Targets:
     • Implementation of trade restrictions for marine species: The proposals to give “sharks and rays… major listing changes to close trade loopholes” and to place “sea cucumbers… for much-needed trade restrictions” are indicators of efforts to regulate the harvesting and trade of marine life (Target 14.4).
   • For SDG 17 Targets:
     • International cooperation and participation: The convening of the CITES conference itself, with officials from “around the globe,” is an indicator of an active global partnership. The number of proposals submitted by countries (e.g., the U.S. submitting none to increase protections this year, in contrast to 14 at the last meeting) is a measurable indicator of national engagement within this partnership (Target 17.16).

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: biologicaldiversity.org