Samarkand, 4 December 2025. The 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES CoP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, ends with predominantly positive results: better protection was agreed for more than 120 threatened species – including the iconic Galápagos iguanas. “Fifty years after its founding, this conference has made history – with record protection for a total of 74 shark and ray species. For 11 of them, a global trade ban will apply in the future”, summarizes Daniela Freyer, attending the conference on behalf of the conservation organisation Pro Wildlife.
Another major success from Pro Wildlife’s perspective: “At last, trade in water frogs for the cruel frog-legs industry will be restricted.” Attempts to allow trade in ivory and rhino horn, as well as efforts to weaken the protection of giraffes, also failed: “It is paramount that existing trade restrictions for products of these iconic species are maintained to safeguard their survival and combat poaching.”
The Winners of CITES CoP20
- Elephants & Rhinos: The resumption of trade in ivory and horn from black and white rhinos was overwhelmingly rejected.
- Sharks & Rays: Improved protection was adopted for 74 shark and ray species – for 11 species (including whale sharks, manta rays, and devil rays), an international trade ban will apply for the first time.
- Trade bans: An international trade ban was approved for all four Galápagos iguana species, okapis, golden-bellied mangabeys, two African vulture species, two venomous snakes from Ethiopia, and the critically endangered Home’s hinge-back tortoise.
- New trade restrictions: At the request of the EU, the largest market for frog legs, European water frogs were granted protection. For the first time, global trade restrictions will also apply to two-toed sloths, dorcas gazelles, striped hyenas, African hornbills, various South American seed-finches, two gecko species from Australia, and one tarantula species.
- Rollbacks prevented: The trade restrictions for giraffes, which have been in place only since 2019, were upheld, as was the trade ban for peregrine falcons.
- Plants: Protection was also improved for various plant species, including Brazilwood (Pernambuco), which is used to make violin bows. All plant-related results still need to be confirmed in the plenary on Friday (5 December).
The Losers of CITES CoP20
But there were also setbacks, including:
- Eels: The EU’s proposal to list all 17 eel species worldwide in CITES Appendix II was clearly rejected.
- Saiga antelopes: A one off-sale of horns from saiga antelopes from Kazakhstan will be permitted – which conservationists fear will reignite poaching and illegal trade.
- Sea cucumbers: The EU’s proposal for international trade restrictions for six sea-cucumber species also failed.
“The political headwind was exceptionally strong this time. Japan, in particular, exerted massive pressure on other countries to push through economic interests,” said the Pro Wildlife expert. This was also reflected in the unusually high number of secret ballots requested by several countries. “Eels and sea cucumbers were the scapegoats. In future, the EU will need to cooperate better and early on with Parties in other regions to secure support for its own proposals,” Freyer criticizes.
Positive Overall Conclusion
Despite these challenges, the Pro Wildlife expert draws a positive conclusion: “Even under these difficult political conditions, together with conservationists from around the world we succeeded in achieving substantial gains and preventing serious harm. This conference has proven that when the international community stands united, it can effectively protect endangered species.”
