The Standing Committee provides policy guidance to the CITES Secretariat in implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The committee membership is made up of representatives from each of the six geographical regions. Unlike the Animals and Plants Committees, the Standing Committee meets on an “as needed” basis, which is usually twice a year.

For more information on the Standing Committee, visit the CITES website.
To read the specific terms on the committee, view the CITES resolution.

Become an Observer

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishing to attend the 62nd Meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (SC62), which will be held July 23-27, 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland, must request approval from the CITES Secretariat to attend the meeting. 

In accordance with Rule 6 of the Standing Committee Rules of Procedure , any person or body wishing to participate in a meeting of the Committee as an observer must submit the registration form to the Secretariat at least 30 days before the meeting (for SC62, that date is June 23, 2012). 

In addition to submitting the registration form, prospective observers must provide relevant information with regard to their technical qualifications and proof of approval of the State in which the organization or individual is located.  Organizations seeking observer approval that are located in the United States must submit a request for observer approval via either mail, fax, or email to:

Division of Management Authority
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive Room 212
Arlington, VA 22203

Fax: 703-358-2298
Email: managementauthority@fws.gov 

Additionally, all participants will be required to present official credentials to attend the meeting.  Credentials may be submitted to the Secretariat in advance or on the first day of attendance at the meeting. See CITES Notification 2012/035 of April 16, 2012 , and the Standing Committee section of the CITES website for more information on the meeting.  An agenda and working documents will also be posted on the CITES website before the meeting.