Kew at CITES COP20
Kew is committed to ensuring sustainable trade of threatened species
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), is a multi-lateral environmental agreement helping to fight the extinction crisis through international wildlife trade regulations. This global policy advocates for the sustainable use and conservation of wildlife.
The 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES COP20) is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 24 November to 5 December 2025. Usually held every three years, CITES COP is a critical meeting for wildlife conservation. This year’s COP will hold special significance as 2025 marks 50 years of CITES entering into force. Learn more about CITES COP20, why it matters, and how we're helping to shape global decisions.
Why is Kew attending?
Kew has been the UK’s CITES Scientific Authority for Flora since 1976, advising Defra on the trade in plants and plant products. Ahead of CITES COP20, Kew has supported the UK’s position on key agenda items through research review and expert consultation.
At the conference, Kew will join the UK delegation alongside Defra, JNCC and Border Force, providing advice on all plant-related topics. One staff member will also serve as rapporteur for the CITES Secretariat.
Kew’s science features across the agenda, including:
- Medicinal and aromatic plants: contributing to a TRAFFIC-led report on CITES-listed species in trade.
- Fungi: supporting a UK-led paper on fungal and lichen species in trade.
- Species nomenclature: producing a new Pachypodium checklist, translated into Malagasy with Kew Madagascar.
CITES COP20 side events
Alongside the main plenary and committee sessions, CITES COP20 will host a diverse programme of side events. These sessions provide Parties, NGOs and the CITES Secretariat the opportunity to give talks or run workshops on focused topics. Kew staff will attend selected side events including:
Sustainable Trade in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) - 3 December
Kew is co-hosting this side event with TRAFFIC and Nepal, focused on discussions on how to ensure sustainable and legal trade in CITES-listed medicinal and aromatic plants.
CITES Global Youth Network: The Future of Wildlife Trade Governance - 27 November
A member of Kew staff will attend this side event hosted by the CITES Global Youth Network (CGYN). This session will highlight CGYN’s evolution, showcase youth-led initiatives and highlight the vital role of empowered youth in shaping the future of wildlife trade governance.
CITES at Kew
Beyond the conference, our team work throughout the year to ensure the sustainable trade of threatened species.
UK CITES Scientific Authority for Flora
We provide independent and impartial scientific advice on CITES.
Science Policy
Advising government and stakeholders, and ensuring Kew’s work is carried out in line with global biodiversity agreements including CBD and CITES.
Read more on CITES and our connected work
Half a century of Kew in CITES
Harnessing technology to end the illegal trade in succulent plants
