A deep dive into the wins and losses for wildlife and forests at CITES 78th Standing Committee
Covering one packed agenda, four interventions and six hectic days, EIA campaigners share the highlights of the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee (SC78) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Geneva.
Some of the EIA team at CITES SC78
Elephants
Asian elephants
SC78 marked EIA’s first engagement at CITES on the illegal trade in Asian elephants and their parts and derivatives as we advocated against the deletion of Decisions which specifically called on Parties to investigate this illegal trade.
We brought with us a catchy fold-out leaflet outlining the findings of our recent research showcasing how online illegal trade in Asian elephant skins and other parts is thriving as evidence that more, not less, attention is needed at CITES on this species.
Thanks to strong interventions made by Kenya and the UK, supported by Senegal and Nigeria, we are happy to report that Decision 18.226 (Rev. CoP19) sub paragraph a) will be proposed for renewal at the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to CITES in Peru this December to refocus attention on Asian elephants.
This result should ensure focused pressure is maintained on Parties to conduct investigations into this worrying illegal trade. EIA made a supporting intervention, which 14 partner organisations co-signed. However, we were disappointed by the limited engagement by Asian elephant range states in the discussions.
Looking ahead, EIA will keep a close eye on the illegal trade threats facing Asian elephants and will work closely with relevant stakeholders to share information and ensure the Decision and accompanying Resolution Conf. 10.10 (Rev. CoP19) will be strengthened at CoP20.
National Ivory Action Plan process
EIA congratulates Cambodia and Malaysia on their exit from the National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) process at SC78. However, we call for continued monitoring by the Secretariat and Parties to ensure emerging trends linked to illegal ivory trade are detected in time.
We echoed the Secretariat’s calls for Parties in the process to step up progress with their activities and welcomed the particular attention paid to Angola, given its ongoing role in illegal ivory trade, as well as to Togo, which continues to lag far behind other NIAP countries in terms of achievement of NIAP activities.
Belgium (and the EU) was once again a vocal supporter of the process and its impactful interventions at SC78 were very much welcome. EIA was also proud to sign on to a joint intervention, delivered by the Centre for Environmental Forensic Science, calling on Vietnam as a country in the highest category of the NIAP process to conduct DNA analyses on seized ivory and to share information to help progress investigations and to map the presence and activities of organised criminal gangs.
The NIAP Review was another agenda item which EIA followed closely (we pushed hard for its adoption at CoP19). At SC78, Parties were meant to consider the findings of this review and to agree to a number of suggested edits by the Secretariat. However, EIA and eight NGO partners intervened in support of Belgium and Kenya to argue that the Secretariat’s suggested edits did not reflect the scope of the Review’s findings and that more time was necessary to digest and translate them. Stakeholders now have until CoP21 (in 2028) to suggest more detailed changes to the NIAP Guidelines.
Domestic ivory markets
Ivory on legal sale in Japan (c) EIA
There were two positive outcomes at SC78on the issue of domestic ivory markets. The Standing Committee agreed to renew important decisions directing Parties with legal domestic ivory markets to report on measures taken to ensure they are not contributing to poaching or illegal trade.
The CITES Secretariat had recommended that the Standing Committee delete these decisions; however, Kenya made a strong case against, underscoring how the implementation of these decisions reinforces the international ban on commercial ivory trade and proposed that the decisions be renewed at CoP20. Kenya’s proposal to received strong support from Senegal, Benin, Niger, Sudan, the UK and Israel.
The only opposition to renewing the decisions came from Japan, which maintains the world’s largest legal domestic ivory market. Japan argued that CITES should focus only on international trade, despite the clear language contained in the CITES resolution on elephants – which Japan agreed to at CoP16 – calling on Parties to close domestic ivory markets contributing to poaching or illegal trade.
To help Parties determine whether a domestic ivory market is contributing to international ivory trafficking, Parties at CoP19 agreed to conduct an analysis of CITES data on ivory seizures, contained in the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS), linked to Parties with legal domestic ivory markets, provided that it was feasible. At SC78, Parties decided to forgo the analysis because agreement could not be reached on how to determine which Parties should be included.
While EIA believes there were viable options for completing the analysis, this outcome is actually acceptable. A primary reason EIA advocated this analysis was to make ETIS seizure data publicly available at the country level. At SC78, a new tool was launched on the ETIS Online platform that does just that. The ETIS ivory seizure data confirms what EIA has been asserting for years – Japan’s domestic market is contributing to the international illegal ivory trade.
EIA will continue to bring the pressure at CITES for Japan to close its market to comply with CITES provisions on elephants.
Rhinos
In the lead up to SC78, the CITES Secretariat notified Parties that arrangements were being put in place to convene a meeting of the CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force in the first half of 2025. The Task Force meeting was supposed to occur before SC78, but the Secretariat’s heavy workload prevented it from being organised in 2024.
The US, along with the UK and EU, provided the funding necessary for conducting the meeting. Unfortunately, because of the Trump Administration’s funding freeze, the funds committed by the US are no longer available, which means the CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force Meeting is postponed indefinitely.
There is an urgent need to bring together law enforcement professionals from all countries affected by rhino poaching and trafficking to strengthen relationships, build trust and craft new collaborative strategies to eliminate organised rhino poaching and horn trafficking. EIA urged the Secretariat to explore options to conduct the meeting with a reduced budget to mitigate any further delays.
EIA intervened during the discussion on behalf of a dozen organisations on rhino issues to raise concerns about developments in South Africa that indicate a push to develop a commercial domestic market for worked rhino horn products, which could undermine the decades of progress that Parties have made to address rhino poaching and illegal trade and which would conflict with the demand-reduction provisions in the CITES Resolution on rhinos.
Thankfully, Kenya proposed renewing an important decision urging Parties to reduce demand for rhino horn and to close rhino horn markets that contribute to poaching or illegal trade. Kenya’s proposal was supported by Senegal and Niger and SC78 agreed to recommend that CoP20 renew the decision.
SC78 also agreed to recommend that Vietnam and Angola strengthen intelligence exchange and joint operations to address rhino horn trafficking and, at the request of the EU and Kenya, report on activities conducted in this regard to CoP20. Namibia, which continues to experience high levels of rhino poaching, was also requested to continue reviewing the measures it is taking to prevent poaching and rhino horn trafficking to ensure they are effective.
EIA welcomed an announcement from Namibia that its new Environmental Crimes Court became operational on 1 January. We are hopeful this will significantly improve Namibia’s ability to successfully prosecute rhino poaching and trafficking cases, among other wildlife crimes committed in the country.
Pangolins
EIA, on behalf of 13 organisations, made an intervention urging Parties to submit annual reports, including that of stockpiles, to the Secretariat, as stated in the pangolin resolution. Only one objection was raised, by China. In its view, stockpile reporting does not support conservation efforts and it proposed removing text from the draft amendment instructing the Secretariat to use an aggregated summary of pangolin stock declarations for its report prior to each CoP. This was opposed by Poland and ultimately SC78 agreed to the amendments as-is, underpinning the need for up-to-date reporting.
EIA has consistently highlighted China’s lack of transparency regarding its pangolin stockpiles, which supply its legal domestic market for traditional Chinese medicine containing pangolin scales. Although China had submitted a document stating it has reported stockpiles to the Secretariat, it was not publicly confirmed as that information was not included in the Report of the Secretariat, nor clarified on the floor by China.
We also called attention to the need for time-bound and measurable recommendations to be developed and discussed at CoP20, a need also voiced by Kenya, the US and New Zealand and which was therefore adopted by the Standing Committee. These recommendations will play a key role in the effective implementation of the pangolin resolution, especially in regard to the closure of legal domestic markets which contribute to illegal trade and poaching.
Vaquita porpoises and totoaba
Vaquita porpoises (c) Todd Pusser-
We and three other NGOs called for a trade suspension against Mexico for failing to fully implement its Compliance Action Plan (CAP) on totoaba fish. Mexico missed agreed deadlines and continues to allow rampant illegal fishing in the Vaquita Refuge in violation of the CAP and a 2020 Agreement.
A May 2024 vaquita survey identified 6-8 individuals, a decline from the 8-13 seen in 2023. While the Mexican Navy and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society are preventing most illegal fishing in the core Zero Tolerance Area, ongoing illegal fishing in the Vaquita Refuge directly imperils the few remaining animals.
The Secretariat concluded in SC78 Doc. 33.12.1 Annex 9 that Mexico, while making some progress, has not met the agreed CAP deadlines regarding imposing penalties on fishers engaged in illegal activities, implementing vessel monitoring, sharing information with INTERPOL and implementing a vaquita-safe alternative fishing gear programme.
Without the urgent implementation of a rigorous inspection and enforcement operation, along with a programme to incentivise and implement selective fishing gear, vaquitas will not survive.
We are on the brink of losing a CITES-listed species and serious concerns were raised by SC78 members and Parties for more action. We urge Mexico to fully implement the CAP without delay and halt all illegal fishing throughout vaquita habitat within the next six months — otherwise it will be necessary for the Secretariat to implement a trade sanction to give vaquitas a fighting chance.
Asian big cats
SC78 was a mixed bag for Asian big cats. While progress was made in some respects, the seriousness of the situation facing Asian big cats was not reflected in the decisions that were taken at the meeting, particularly in regard to tiger farming, China’s domestic market for leopards and captive tigers and the role of Laos as a safe haven for wildlife crime networks.
There is an opportunity for Parties to address this before CoP20. EIA will be working to ensure Parties have the information they need to hold to account those driving poaching, trade and the decline of Asian big cats in the wild.
Common goals for big cats
To start with the good, SC78 decided to propose draft decisions to the CoP encouraging countries affected by the illegal big cat trade to make every effort to implement the outcomes of the CITES Big Cats Task Force and for the Standing Committee to monitor these activities.
The Committee also adopted country-specific recommendations for the US and China on captive tiger facilities. For China, this included developing standardised procedures for handling of carcasses, inspections and audits, including stockpile management.
Tiger farming and trade
However, we are disappointed that SC78 did not adopt further country-specific recommendations urging the US and China to restrict tiger breeding to levels only supportive of conserving wild tigers and to prohibit the establishment of new facilities with narrow exemptions where warranted.
The Committee has already adopted these recommendations for Laos, Vietnam and Thailand and it is strange to see that the US and China, which have the biggest captive tiger populations, do not have similar recommendations directed to them.
The Committee also did not seek clarification about the reason for the drastic decline in China’s reported captive population of tigers from 6,057 in 2018 to 2,744 reported for SC78. Equally worrying is the question as to why China allows the skins and bones of what must be thousands of dead tigers to be kept in private hands instead of destroyed, as per the Asian Big Cat Resolution text. Another question that went unanswered at this meeting.
The Committee did decide to propose a draft decision to the CoP encouraging Parties with facilities breeding or keeping a large number of tigers to adopt a methodical approach to put an end to the activities of facilities which do not have conservation or educational value.
By virtue of an amendment suggested by the UK, this decision would also require South Africa, the Czech Republic, US, China, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand to report on the specific recommendations about captive tiger facilities which have been made to them.
However, the language in the draft decision was diluted based on amendments proposed by China and supported by other countries. It is ironic that some of the countries which supported China’s amendments are neighbors which are most affected by illegal trade of Asian big cats from their countries into China.
Leaving leopards in the lurch
The Committee also decided to propose the deletion of current decisions on Asian big cats, with the exception of Decision 14.69. One of these decisions is 18.105, which asks Parties to take serious consideration of concerns regarding illegal trade in leopards.
EIA had called for the Standing Committee to renew its recommendation from SC77 for the Secretariat to review the illegal trade and conservation status of Asian leopards since the report produced for this meeting did not contain a meaningful analysis of the issues or available data. This includes seizure data in the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World WISE database which the Secretariat has access to.
More than 25 years ago, the CITES Secretariat warned that leopards could end up disappearing just as tigers did and, sure enough, leopards have followed tigers and been wiped out from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The lack of concern over the status of Asia’s leopards was chilling and we hope that Parties at CoP20 step up focus on the trade and demand issues affecting the species which are squarely within the mandate of the Convention.
Laos — not quite off the hook yet
From an Asian big cat perspective, the most disappointing result from the meeting was the decision to partially lift trade sanctions against Laos for agarwood if an export quota is established by the Party after a non-detriment finding.
EIA agreed with the Secretariat’s recommendation that the full trade suspensions should remain as is. While there has been some progress on paper, there has not been evidence of implementation of recommendations by Laos, certainly not as it relates to those on tiger farms and enforcement against rampant open online illegal wildlife trade, physical illegal wildlife trade in retail outlets and transnational wildlife crime. We also remain concerned over gaps in national legislation.
Laos received support from several members of the Standing Committee and Parties, including Vietnam, Malaysia, China and Thailand. Ironically, these Parties are directly impacted by non-compliance and the lack of enforcement in Laos; transnational criminal networks operating through Laos traffic wildlife between Thailand, China and Vietnam, and from Malaysia.
The partial lifting of trade sanctions risks removing an important economic incentive for Laos to take effective action on tiger farms and against illegal trade. If such action does not materialise, we will be urging the Standing Committee to reinstate its recommendation to suspend all commercial CITES trade with the country.
Forests
EIA has been honoured to stand alongside our Indonesian partner Kaoem Telapak (KT) in our nearly 30-year collaboration to combat illegal logging. At SC78, we presented the findings of KT’s report “Sonokeling in Peril: CITES Protection vs Illicit Trade of Indonesian Rosewood” to key stakeholders.
During discussions on Agenda Item 77 (Annotation 15), the CITES Secretariat’s draft report on Dalbergia and Guibourtia exemptions was reviewed. We welcomed the US delegation’s request for additional stakeholder input before its final presentation at CoP20. While the draft acknowledges data gaps and reporting discrepancies, it also claims that Dalbergia latifolia (Sonokeling) is mainly from artificial propagation in Indonesia and of little concern. KT’s research challenges this narrative, highlighting ongoing illegal logging, the need for CITES to refine definitions for tree source types — wild (W), artificially propagated (A) and assisted production (Y) — based on regional field data. It also underscores the urgency of standardising trade data, strengthening reporting compliance and improving support for national authorities.
Additionally, EIA joined WWF and Transparency International in calling for stricter oversight on Madagascar’s rosewood and ebony trade. We urge CITES to ensure that only logs from inventoried stockpiles are traded under a pilot project with meaningful participation of Malagasy civil society, strict measures for accounting for logs, exemplar public transparency regarding timber flows and that state-of-the-art tracking methods must be employed.
Short of these vital elements, the stockpile trade pilot presents high risks of serving rosewood traffickers’ timber laundering interests and further endangering depleted wild rosewood trees populations.
Wildlife crime enforcement support in West and Central Africa
Viewing pangolin scales for sale in Nigeria (c) EIA
EIA, having been an active member of a Working Group on enforcement and funding to tackle wildlife crime in West and Central Africa, made an intervention along with six other organisations in support of Nigeria and Belgium, emphasising the importance of regional and international cooperation in combating wildlife crime.
We supported the deletion of the West and Central Africa-specific Decisions, but drew the Committee’s attention to the need for more detailed analysis to understand how effectively enforcement and information exchange tools under INTERPOL and WCO are actually being used. The suggestion did not gain traction at SC78 but we will persevere and double down on efforts to lobby for support at CoP20.
