The 16th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES

In March 2013, the United States delegation to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will travel to Thailand, equipped with formal proposals and negotiating positions, for the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP16) - the world’s largest and most influential meeting on international wildlife trade.

Every two to three years, a meeting of the CoP is held to review, discuss, and negotiate changes in the implementation of CITES, including changes in protections for certain species. The 16th regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) is tentatively scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, March 3-14, 2013. 

Federal Register Notices

• June 21, 2012: The Service published a Federal Register notice informing the public of proposed resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that are being considered for submission at CoP16. This notice takes into account all public comments received in response to the Federal Register notice dated on November 7, 2011. An extended version of the Federal Register notice  describes each of these issues in more detail and explains the rationale for United States' current thinking and tentative position. The 60-day public comment period will remain open until August 20, 2012.
• April 11, 2012: The Service published a Federal Register notice that informs the public of plants and animals that are under consideration for U.S. submission of proposals (species proposals) to amend the CITES Appendices. This notice takes into account all public comments received in response to the Federal Register notice dated on June 14, 2011. An extended version of the Federal Register notice  describes each recommended action, as well as those developed internally, and explains the rationale for United States' current thinking about submission of species proposals for CoP16. The Service is seeking additional biological and trade information on potential species proposals.
• November 7, 2011: The Service published a Federal Register notice requesting recommendations on resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that would provide clear guidance on the interpretation and effective implementation of CITES. The 60-day public comment period closed on January 6, 2012
• June 14, 2011: The Service published a Federal Register notice requesting recommendations for amendments to the CITES Appendices. The 60-day public comment period closed on August 15, 2011.

Please note that the public comment period for the Federal Register notice dated on June 21, 2012 is CLOSED.

Banner Credits: Pink Lady's Slipper orchid: Thomas Barnes/University of Kentucky; Primate: Vanessa Woods