- Fullform: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
- What is it?: CITES, is a multilateral treaty designed to regulate and control international trade in species of plants and animals threatened by extinction.
- Origin: Adopted in 1973 and came into effect in 1975.
- Parties: Currently, 184 countries (Parties) have ratified the Convention.
- Functions
- CITES regulates the international trade of over 38,000 species of animals and plants through a system of permits and certificates.
- These permits are required for import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of CITES-listed species.
- Appendix
- Appendix I: Includes species threatened with extinction and prohibits international commercial trade of these species and their parts (exceptions granted in extraordinary circumstances). (e.g., tigers, rhinos, African grey parrots)
- Appendix II: Includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction but could become so if trade is not regulated. Commercial trade is allowed with a permit if it is proven to be non-detrimental to the wild population. (e.g., crocodiles, some monkeys, some cacti)
- Appendix III: Includes species that a particular country considers needs regulation of trade within its borders to control unsustainable or illegal exploitation, and other Parties can choose to adopt the control. (e.g., some commercially-exploited timber species)