The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been the world's premier conservation treaty of the past two decades. It provides the basis for international co-operation in preventing the unsustainable exploitation of wild animals and plants through international trade. At its meetings, member countries set guidelines for the international trade in wildlife species and products.

Namibia became a party to CITES in 1991. It is represented by officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, as the agency responsible for the implementation of CITES in Namibia.

CITES international trade controls form only a relatively small part of the conservation and management requirements for ensuring the survival of wild fauna and flora. International trade in wild species has an insignificant effect on most fauna and flora from southern Africa compared to the threats from land use and the loss of habitat. 

Prohibiting international trade in a species may even accelerate its disappearance. Such species usually lose economic value and may no longer be regarded as a resource. Namibia and southern Africa as a whole generally attempt to maintain or increase the economic value of wild species as an incentive for their conservation as part of the renewable resource base.

Click here to read the full text of the convention.

Namibia's official contact person: Pauline Lindeque