This week, the world's governments are meeting in Geneva for the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is the main agreement that regulates international wildlife trade, which is critical to ensuring that trade does not damage the status of wild populations of plants and animals. The year 2025 marks 50 years since CITES was founded, yet new research has found that it is failing to adequately deter the illegal extraction and trade of many species. The researchers propose a new framework for CITES, the use of which could make the Convention more effective. This framework supports sustainability by deeply analyzing wildlife trade systems and ensuring that CITES trade measures fit within wider supply chain structures. It also ensures these trade systems are fair and recognized by those involved.
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