CITES

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Signed	3 March 1973 (1973-03-03)
Location	Geneva, Switzerland
Effective	1 July 1975
Condition	10 ratifications
Parties	184
Depositary	Government of the Swiss Confederation
Language	English French Spanish
Full text
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora at Wikisource

CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade. It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The convention was opened for signature in 1973 and CITES entered into force on 1 July 1975.

Its aim is to ensure that international trade (import/export) in specimens of animals and plants included under CITES does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild. This is achieved via a system of permits and certificates. CITES affords varying degrees of protection to more than 38,000 species.

As of April 2022^[update], the Secretary-General of CITES is Ivonne Higuero.^[1]