19th COP of CITES

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade. Recently its 19th Conference of Parties was held.

About 19th Conference of Parties (COP19)

  • Held on:14 to 25 November 2022.
  • Held in: Panama
  • Aim: to reduce the risks of future zoonotic diseases

India and CITES COP19

  • India has voted against a proposal to re-open the international trade in ivory at the ongoing conference of the CITES.
  • The ivory trade was globally banned in 1989 when all African elephant populations were put in CITES Appendix 1.
  • In COP -19, two Indian turtle species the red- crowned roofed turtles (Batagur kachuga) and Leith’s soft-shell turtle (Nilssonia leithii) – have made it to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).