Samarkand hosts CITES CoP20: Central Asian nations strengthen cooperation to protect wildlife

Uzbekistan is hosting the 20th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) – the world’s largest global forum dedicated to wildlife conservation and the regulated international trade of flora and fauna, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The hosting of the conference in Samarkand, one of the world’s oldest centers of civilization, carries a highly symbolic significance. A city that for centuries has served as a crossroads of cultures now becomes a platform for uniting nations in the fight against environmental threats and the illegal wildlife trade.

Uzbekistan, a member of CITES since 1997, is home to a unique natural heritage, including the snow leopard, saiga antelope, Bukhara argali, houbara bustard, rare reptiles, and dozens of medicinal plant species—all listed under international protection. CoP20 provides an important platform to strengthen global partnerships and develop a unified approach to sustainable resource management and combating transnational environmental crimes.

The Government of Uzbekistan approached the organization of CoP20 amid sweeping national reforms. The year 2025 has been declared the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy. Just days before the opening of the conference, the President signed a decree on the comprehensive reform of the country’s environmental governance system. A National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change has been established, reporting directly to the President and the Senate, with a mandate to implement key national initiatives including "Bio-Heritage", "Green Nation", "Eco-Culture", "Clean Air" and "Waste-Free Territories". For the first time, a National Eco-Police and an Environmental Monitoring Center have been created to strengthen oversight of illegal wildlife trade, monitor natural resources, digitalize inspection processes, and coordinate with international organizations.

Uzbekistan is demonstrating significant progress in expanding its network of protected areas, increasing from 4 % of the national territory in 2016 to 14.2 % in 2025, covering over 6.3 million hectares. Fourteen new specially protected natural areas have been established, while conservation efforts for 108 species listed in the national CITES registry are being strengthened. Since 2023, the adoption of SMART patrolling and GIS technologies has enabled authorities to detect over 14,000 environmental offenses, with fines for wildlife violations increased tenfold and penalties for plant-related offenses raised fivefold. Simultaneously, specialized breeding centers are being developed for critically endangered species such as the houbara bustard, falcons, markhor, argali, Bukhara sheep, and rare reptiles. The capacity of the "Jeiran" Eco-Center has also been reinforced, playing a pivotal role in the recovery of vulnerable species. National zoos have been transformed into fully-fledged rehabilitation centers focused on the treatment and release of confiscated animals back into the wild.

International cooperation remains a central pillar of Uzbekistan’s national environmental strategy. The country is actively expanding collaboration with TRAFFIC International, INTERPOL, and Fauna & Flora International, while aligning its national legislation with global conventions. In 2025, a regional office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was inaugurated in Tashkent, strengthening Uzbekistan’s role in regional conservation initiatives. The country also actively participates in Central Asian environmental programs such as CAMI, CADI, and the Ramsar Convention, which are especially critical for the management of transboundary ecosystems in Central Asia. A key highlight of CoP20 was the High-Level Dialogue on enhancing the strategic impact of CITES. Global statistics underscore a chronic funding shortfall: the current $143 billion annually—of which up to 85 % is provided by governments—is insufficient to meet the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which requires approximately $824 billion per year. Conference discussions focused on innovative financing instruments, including conservation bonds, "debt-for-nature" swaps, payments for ecosystem services, bio-credits, REDD+ mechanisms, and sustainable cultivation and breeding programs for flora and fauna. Particular attention was paid to "wildlife conservation credits" and analytical population monitoring systems designed to reduce pressures on vulnerable species.

Within the framework of the Central Asian Ministerial Dialogue, regional countries reaffirmed their commitment to a coordinated approach to nature conservation. Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan discussed innovative solutions to safeguard biodiversity and strengthen regional law enforcement mechanisms. Central Asia is a critical region for saiga migration, home to snow leopards, argali sheep, rare steppe species, and millions of migratory birds. At the same time, the region serves as a transit zone for international wildlife trade: thousands of cases of illegal trafficking of saiga horns, birds of prey, gazelles, and other species involved in transnational criminal networks are recorded annually. Many trafficking routes cross multiple countries, making effective anti-poaching measures impossible without close regional coordination.

On 24 November, a parallel event marked the launch of the Samarkand Declaration and the 2026–2032 Action Plan – the first-ever multilateral agreement in Central Asia uniting Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan under a coordinated approach to combating environmental crimes. Developed with the support of TRAFFIC International, the documents set out a comprehensive framework for harmonizing national legislation, establishing national operational task forces, and developing joint mechanisms for information exchange. They also emphasize coordinated action in border regions, the deployment of advanced monitoring technologies, genetic identification methods, and digital control systems. The Declaration further integrates conservation measures with socio-economic objectives, promoting eco-tourism, engaging local communities, and fostering sustainable employment models. This initiative represents a historic step toward regional collaboration in addressing transboundary environmental challenges.

During his opening address at CoP20, Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that transboundary threats demand transboundary solutions. He highlighted that, for the first time, countries in the region are adopting a coordinated, science-based approach rather than fragmented measures. Uzbekistan also presented several initiatives for the global CITES agenda, including the establishment of the "Samarkand AI Hub" – a consultative platform for integrating artificial intelligence into wildlife monitoring – and the Sanctions & Enforcement Enhancement Facility, designed to help states update legislation, strengthen penalties, and enhance regulatory oversight. Additionally, the importance of developing specialized breeding centers for rare species and medicinal plant plantations under rigorous digital monitoring was underscored as a key component of sustainable biodiversity management.

The CITES CoP20 held in Samarkand marked a significant global event, bringing together nations, international organizations, and the scientific community. The conference paved the way for the establishment of a new regional model for environmental cooperation, strengthened Central Asia’s role in global environmental governance, and highlighted practical solutions based on innovation, international collaboration, and strategic planning. Uzbekistan has demonstrated its readiness to act as an active partner and driver of change, committed to protecting the planet’s unique natural heritage and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.