This marks the first time a Central Asian country will host the CITES Conference of the Parties, bringing together representatives from 184 parties (183 countries and the European Union) and numerous stakeholders in wildlife conservation and trade. More than 4,000 delegates and participants are expected to attend, underscoring Uzbekistan's growing role in global environmental efforts.

The announcement followed the signing of a formal agreement between Uzbekistan’s Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, Aziz Abdukhakimov, and CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero during the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

“This agreement emphasizes the importance of international collaboration in combating biodiversity loss and illegal wildlife trade. We look forward to welcoming the global community to Samarkand during COP20 to unite our efforts in protecting our planet’s rich biological heritage,” said Minister Abdukhakimov.

Secretary-General Higuero expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's initiative to host the event in the culturally rich city of Samarkand, highlighting the symbolic importance of the location.

The conference will focus on ensuring that international wildlife trade remains sustainable, legal, and traceable. Delegates will discuss strategies for species conservation, sustainable resource management, and measures to combat illegal wildlife trade.

Uzbekistan has been a party to CITES since 1997. The convention, established in 1973 and effective since 1975, aims to protect endangered species of wild animals and plants and prevent illegal trade. Several species from Uzbekistan are included in the CITES list, underscoring the country's critical role in wildlife conservation.