Wildlife: MEPs attend global talks to stop illegal trade in endangered species

Members of the European Parliament participate in the World Wildlife Conference in Uzbekistan to support the global fight against illegal trafficking of wild animals and plants.

A delegation from the European Parliament arrived Monday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan where they will spend three days at the global meeting on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP20) which takes place from 24 November to 5 December 2025.

MEPs will meet with delegates from non-EU countries as well as representatives of civil society and the CITES secretariat. Ahead of the global meeting, the European Parliament adopted a resolution.

The co-chairs of the delegation are Manuela Ripa (EPP, DE) and César Luena (S&D, ES). Silvia Sardone (PfE, IT), Aurelijus Veryga (ECR, LT) and Michal Wiezik (RENEW, SK) are also part of the delegation.

Quotes

Manuela Ripa (EPP, DE) (EPP, IT), the co-chair of delegation said: “Without biodiversity, there is no future – and without healthy ecosystems, there can be no stable climate. Therefore, this conference is just as important as the COP30 on climate action. Illegal wildlife trafficking has become the fourth-largest form of organized crime worldwide destroying ecosystems, accelerating species extinction and increasingly moving into online marketplaces. This underlines the need to modernize the CITES convention to better protect endangered species. Illegal wildlife trade must be recognized as serious, organised crime. Moreover, we need a fully modernised digital system that tracks all wildlife trade from source to sale, and legislation that criminalises both trading and keeping illegally sourced wildlife. The time for symbolic commitments is over - we must treat this crisis with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.”

César Luena (S&D, ES), the co-chair of delegation said: "Wildlife trafficking is now one of the world’s biggest criminal economies, driving biodiversity loss and harming local communities. At COP20, the European Parliament brings a clear message: wildlife trade must be legal, sustainable and traceable. We strongly support the EU proposals to increase protection for species under pressure, from freshwater eels and deep-water sharks to frogs, sea cucumbers and endangered plants, and we will work to strengthen global action against illegal and online wildlife trafficking. Europe must lead with science, precaution, zero tolerance for illegal wildlife trade and a firm commitment to conservation."

Background

CITES is an international agreement between governments, which aim is to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. This year the world wildlife treaty celebrates 50 years of regulating the global trade in wildlife. COP20 will bring together global leaders, scientists, civil society, and stakeholders to negotiate and advance action to protect endangered species against over-exploitation. It will also review the implementation of the convention and decide on updates to wildlife species listings in Appendices I and II, enforcement, and the future direction of CITES.