Much of the world’s iconic wildlife is under threat from poaching, illegal, and unsustainable trade. That’s why in November, global policymakers met in Panama City to take bold actions and make decisions that help species most at risk. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)—a global agreement among governments to regulate or ban international trade in species under threat—helps ensure that the trade of a listed species won’t negatively impact that species’ population, and is regulated, monitored, and sometimes, outright banned. Countries meet every three years to review progress, consider new proposals, and discuss other steps toward protecting at-risk wildlife.
This year’s conference concluded with several positives for wildlife with new and renewed global protections against poaching, illegal, and unsustainable trade in wild animals and plants that could help reverse trends driving global biodiversity loss. Here are some of the biggest takeaways: