On 24 November, the official opening ceremony of the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) took place in Samarkand.
CITES CoP20 marks the first large-scale session of the Convention ever held in Central Asia. The forum has brought together more than 3,000 delegates from 184 countries and the European Union, including representatives of government institutions, international organizations, the scientific community, and the non-governmental sector. The conference focuses on strengthening global measures to conserve biodiversity, improving mechanisms for regulating international trade in endangered species, and advancing international cooperation, according to the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of Uzbekistan.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme Inger Andersen, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on ecology and Chair of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov, and CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero.
Abdukhakimov emphasized that Uzbekistan has implemented comprehensive reforms in recent years to protect wildlife and strengthen measures against illegal trade.
“Just a few days ago, the President of Uzbekistan signed a historic decree on reforming and further strengthening national environmental governance. According to the decree, the newly established National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change is accountable to the President and the Senate. The Committee has been tasked with implementing important national initiatives such as ‘Bio-Heritage,’ ‘Green Space,’ ‘Eco-Culture,’ ‘Clean Air,’ and ‘Zero-Waste Territories.’ In addition, the National Environmental Police and the Environmental Monitoring Center have been created with expanded powers to combat illegal wildlife trade, environmental crimes, and violations involving flora and fauna,” the Chair stated.
The minister proposed several initiatives, including the establishment of the Samarkand AI-Hub advisory platform to promote digital technologies and artificial intelligence, as well as the development of a mechanism to harmonize sanctions and reinforce accountability for illegal wildlife trade.
The official opening of CITES CoP20 launched a 12-day program, including plenary sessions, discussions on amendments to the Convention’s Appendices, thematic events, and high-level meetings aimed at reinforcing international efforts to protect wildlife.
