The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has officially welcomed Turkmenistan as the 185th Party to the Convention. This step ensures that wildlife trade in CITES-listed species within Central Asia will now be governed by the Convention’s provisions, unifying efforts to conserve biodiversity in the region. The full implementation of CITES in Turkmenistan will take effect on January 2, 2025.
Turkmenistan’s diverse geography—comprising vast deserts, towering mountains, and expansive steppes—provides a habitat for a range of unique flora and fauna. Among these, 94 animal and 15 plant species are listed under CITES, including some of the region’s most iconic wildlife. Notable species such as the Asian houbara bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii), Imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), and the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) are categorized in Appendix I due to their vulnerability to international trade pressures.
Minister of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, Babanyyazov Charygeldi, commented on the country’s commitment to conservation, stating, “Today, Turkmenistan has joined almost all international Conventions aimed at conservation and enhancing the planet’s wildlife. Although we have only just ratified CITES, we have adhered to its core principles for some time. Turkmenistan is ready for active cooperation within CITES, both regionally and internationally, especially on species such as the Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), found in our country.”
The Peregrine falcon, listed in CITES Appendix II, is expected to be a key topic at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CITES CoP20), set to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025. This milestone meeting will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Convention’s entry into force in 1975, offering a platform for Turkmenistan and other Parties to propose and discuss measures to ensure that international trade in CITES-listed species is sustainable and does not threaten their survival.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero welcomed Turkmenistan’s accession, calling it a significant milestone. She highlighted that with 185 Parties, the Convention is approaching universal adoption, enhancing its global influence. She emphasized Central Asia’s commitment to CITES, particularly with the upcoming CITES CoP20 in Samarkand, and expressed eagerness to collaborate on ensuring legal, sustainable, and traceable wildlife trade, supported by robust enforcement.
Turkmenistan’s accession to CITES follows Andorra’s entry into the Convention in 2022, reflecting growing global support for wildlife conservation and sustainable trade practices.
