Samarkand’s CoP20 Opens with High-Stakes Debates on Wildlife Trade and Species Protection – The Times Of Central Asia

Report on the 20th CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP20) and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development

The 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, convened nearly 3,000 delegates to address critical issues in global wildlife trade regulation. This conference represents a significant exercise in international cooperation, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The meeting’s outcomes have profound implications for the 2030 Agenda, particularly concerning the conservation of biodiversity on land and in water.

Protecting Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Focus on SDG 15 (Life on Land)

A central focus of CoP20 was the management of African megafauna, a key component of achieving SDG 15 (Life on Land), which calls for urgent action to end biodiversity loss and combat the poaching and trafficking of protected species (Target 15.7).

Proposals and Debates on African Megafauna

• Giraffes: A proposal by several southern African nations to remove giraffe populations from CITES Appendix II was a point of major concern. Experts warned that such a move would complicate enforcement against illegal trade, undermining efforts to protect a species whose population has declined by 40% in three decades. This directly challenges Target 15.5, which aims to protect threatened species from extinction.
• Elephants: Namibia’s proposal to sell ivory from government stockpiles was debated. Conservation experts argued that legal trade provides a cover for illicit flows, fueling poaching and consumer demand, thereby threatening progress against illegal wildlife trafficking under SDG 15.
• Rhinos: In a significant decision supporting SDG 15, delegates rejected proposals to relax trade protections for Southern white and critically endangered black rhinos, maintaining maximum safeguards against commercial trade.

Conserving Marine Resources: Advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

CoP20 made landmark decisions to enhance the protection of marine species, contributing directly to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which seeks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Key Decisions on Marine Species Protection

1. Whale Sharks: Uplisted to Appendix I, effectively banning international commercial trade to combat a 92% global population decline caused by overfishing and trade in fins and meat.
2. Gulper Sharks: Added to Appendix II to regulate the trade in their liver oil, which is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
3. Manta and Devil Rays: Granted Appendix I status to protect them from targeted fishing for their gill plates and fins.

These measures are vital for achieving Target 14.4 (regulate harvesting and end overfishing) and underscore the global commitment to preventing the ecological collapse of vulnerable marine species. The role of landlocked nations in strengthening import controls was also highlighted as crucial for regulating global supply chains.

Strengthening Institutions and Regional Cooperation: Supporting SDG 16 and SDG 17

The conference emphasized the need for robust governance and international cooperation to combat illicit wildlife trafficking, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Samarkand Declaration and Enforcement Strategies

The “Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan (2025-2032),” signed by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, marks a major step in regional partnership. This initiative supports Target 16.a by strengthening institutional capacity to combat organized crime. Key strategies discussed include:

• Harmonizing national laws to create a unified regulatory front.
• Improving intelligence-sharing to disrupt transnational crime networks.
• Modernizing customs and providing specialized training for officers.
• Implementing community-based conservation models that provide economic benefits and empower local communities, contributing to both SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article extensively discusses the protection of marine species, including whale sharks, gulper sharks, manta rays, and devil rays, which are threatened by overfishing and illegal trade. Decisions made at the CITES conference to increase protections for these species directly relate to conserving marine life.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is a central theme, as the article focuses on the international trade and conservation of terrestrial wildlife. It highlights the threats of poaching, illegal trade, and habitat degradation facing African megafauna like elephants, rhinos, and giraffes, as well as other species such as vultures and geckos.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article addresses the criminal aspect of wildlife trafficking, describing it as a form of organized crime that exploits porous borders. It emphasizes the need for stronger enforcement, harmonized laws, intelligence sharing, and robust institutions to combat these illicit activities.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire context of the article—the CITES CoP20 conference—is an example of a global partnership. It describes international cooperation among governments, and regional partnerships like the “Samarkand Declaration,” to tackle a global challenge. It also mentions collaboration with organizations like the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

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

• 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 describing how whale shark populations have “plummeted by 92% globally due to overfishing” and how CITES is taking action by uplisting them to Appendix I to ban commercial trade.
  • Target 14.c: Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law. The CITES conference itself is an instrument of international law, and the decisions made there to grant stronger protections to whale sharks, gulper sharks, and rays are direct implementations of this target.
• Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
  • 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 is the core issue discussed, with specific examples like the debate over selling ivory stockpiles, which could “fuel illegal trade, poaching, and consumer demand,” and the trafficking of rhino horn and giraffe parts.
  • 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 the “40% drop in wild [giraffe] populations over three decades” and the risk of “ecological collapse” for shark and ray species, demonstrating the urgency to prevent extinction.
  • Target 15.c: Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities. The article mentions community-based conservation approaches like beehive fences and local ranger initiatives that “empower local leadership and deliver economic benefits to communities.”
• Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
  • Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime. The article explicitly mentions the need to “disrupt organized crime networks” involved in transcontinental wildlife trafficking and smuggling.
  • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime. The “Samarkand Declaration,” which commits Central Asian countries to “harmonize laws and improve intelligence-sharing mechanisms,” is a direct effort to strengthen regional and national institutions against wildlife crime.
• Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The CITES CoP20, a meeting of “nearly 3,000 delegates” from around the world to negotiate “global conservation policy,” is a clear example of this global partnership in action.
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The “Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan” signed by five Central Asian countries is a specific example of a public partnership to achieve a common conservation goal.

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

• Population statistics of endangered species: The article provides quantifiable data that serves as a direct indicator of the status of biodiversity.
  • “wild giraffe populations estimated at fewer than 120,000”
  • “40% drop in wild [giraffe] populations over three decades”
  • Whale shark numbers have “plummeted by 92% globally”
• Proportion of species under protection: The CITES Appendix listings are a key policy indicator of conservation efforts.
  • The decision to uplist whale sharks to Appendix I (banning commercial trade).
  • The addition of gulper sharks to Appendix II.
  • The decision to maintain maximum safeguards for Southern white and black rhinos by rejecting proposals to relax trade protections.
• Implementation of international and regional agreements: The existence and adoption of cooperative frameworks are indicators of partnership and institutional strengthening.
  • The signing of the “Samarkand Declaration and Action Plan (2025-2032)” by five Central Asian countries is a concrete indicator of regional cooperation.
• Enforcement and capacity-building measures: The article implies process indicators for combating wildlife crime.
  • The implementation of “intelligence-led operations.”
  • The establishment of “rapid information exchange between agencies.”
  • The degree of “customs modernization and officer training.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesca.com