The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been ratified by 185 nations, including the United States, and the European Union. It regulates the international trade in animals and plants that may be threatened by trade. CITES entered into force in 1975 and as of January 2026 regulates the trade of over 40,900 species—including approximately 34,310 species of plants and 6,610 species of animals. Many believe that CITES has been a success, particularly in preventing extinction of listed species due to trade. Others believe that CITES, although successful, has had implementation difficulties, such as a lack of enforcement and failures to enact laws that implement the treaty in some nations. Protected species are organized under CITES into three appendixes. Appendix I includes species that are threatened with extinction, which are or may be affected by international trade. International trade in Appendix I species is prohibited for commercial purposes, with exemptions in rare cases, such as for scientific research. Appendix II contains species that are not necessarily currently threatened with extinction but require controlled trade to prevent population declines. Appendix III species are listed because at least one country has requested other countries to assist it in regulating trade of that species. A CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) is held approximately once every three years, convening member parties and other stakeholders to contribute to decisions regarding species listing and resolutions to the convention. CoP20 was held in Uzbekistan in 2025. CoP20 represented the 50th anniversary of CITES and ended with increased protection for several species. The CoP also included measures to lower the illegal trade of wildlife. Parties adopted measures that addressed online wildlife crime, illicit financial flows, corruption, and annual illegal trade reporting. In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. §§1531-1544) implements CITES and contains separate provisions for protecting rare foreign species. Many species listed under the ESA are also listed under CITES. However, listings under the ESA are based on several criteria that may threaten the survival of the species. Species listed under CITES are evaluated solely on the threat of trade to a species’ survival. CITES might allow for the trade in a listed species if trade is not detrimental to the survival of the species, whereas the ESA might allow imports of foreign endangered species if trade enhances the survival of the species in its native country. The scope of CITES activities has expanded since ratification, and Congress could debate whether the current scope is addressing the core mandate of the convention to prevent trade from harming wildlife. Congress also could consider what level of appropriations for implementing CITES and contributions to the CITES Secretariat meet congressional goals for species preservation. Further, Congress might consider how the enactment and enforcement of laws that implement CITES in other countries are affecting the viability and effectiveness of the convention.