Briefing on the 81st Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee

This briefing will focus on the preparations of the upcoming 81st Standing Committee meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, that will convene in Geneva, from 2 to 6 November 2026.

About this Event

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 185 Parties (184 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world’s most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 41,000 species of wild animals and plants, which are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES contributes to both national economies and the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to wild species. Through robust scientific assessment, legal compliance, and enforcement action, CITES Parties work to ensure that all international wildlife is sustainable, legal and traceable, in support of the CITES Strategic Vision 2021-2030, the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The CITES Standing Committee is the governing body that plays an important role in steering the work and performance of the Convention in the periods between the meetings of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (World Wildlife Conference). The Committee is tasked with providing policy and general operational guidance on the Convention’s implementation and enforcement and to oversee the implementation of the decisions and resolutions adopted at the 20th World Wildlife Conference (CITES CoP20 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 2025). It will also consider recommendations from the CITES Animals Committee and Plants Committee (the two CITES Scientific Committees) on the conservation and trade of amphibians, jaguars, lions, edible tuberous orchids, Brazilwood, elephants, and other species.

The 81st Standing Committee meeting of CITES (SC81) will address compliance matters, including the application of Article XIII, trade in captive-bred specimens, National Ivory Action Plans (NIAPs). It will address illegal trade and enforcement matters, including tortoises and great apes, as well as wildlife crime linked to the Internet. The Committee will discuss regulatory matters, such as electronic CITES permitting systems (eCITES), Introduction from the Sea, Legal Acquisition Findings and traceability systems for tree species. Other agenda items include strategic matters, such as enhancing the work and efficiency of the Convention, capacity-building, CITES and people, and the conservation and trade of big cats, elephants, sharks and rays, seahorses and Brazilwood.