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CITES - 15^th Conference of the Parties (CoP 15)

What is CITES CoP?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that the international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Australia is one of 175 current signatories to CITES. Signatories are known as Parties. More information on CITES can be found at www.cites.org .

The Conference of Parties to the Convention (CoP) is the decision-making body and meets every two to three years. The meetings:

• review progress in the conservation of species included in the Appendices
• consider (and where appropriate adopt) proposals to amend the lists of species in Appendices I¹ and II²
• consider discussion documents and reports from the Parties, the permanent committees, the Secretariat and working groups
• recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of the Convention
• make provisions (including the adoption of a budget) necessary to allow the Secretariat to function effectively.

Further information on CoP is available on the CITES website:

• About Conference of the Parties - CITES 

The fifteenth CoP will take place from the 13^th to the 25^th of March 2010 in Doha, Qatar.

What will be discussed at CoP 15?

All documents to be discussed at this meeting, including proposals to amend the Appendices, draft resolutions, decisions and agenda items are posted on the CITES web site:

• Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties - CITES 

Guide to providing comments

• Comments must be received before Friday 8 January 2010. No extensions will be granted.
• Reference the agenda item on which you are commenting. E.g. ‘Agenda Item 1.0 Adoption of the agenda’.
• Use dot points where possible to present your views.
• Comments should be concise and an objective evaluation of the agenda item.
• Comments should include references to relevant supporting information.
• Limit your comments to less than a page per agenda item.
• Include your contact details. Note: Your contact details will be used solely in reference to this invitation to comment and will not be shared or published.

Please provide:

• Name
• Organisation/affiliation (if any)
• Email
• Phone number
• Postal address

Enquiries should be directed to the CITES Policy and Communications Team

• email: wildlife.communications@environment.gov.au
• phone: (02) 6274 2302

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¹ CITES Appendix I

These species are threatened with extinction due to international trade. Trade in these species is generally prohibited accept for specimens harvested prior to the date of listing on CITES (pre-CITES) or under exceptional licensed circumstances.

Note: Australia applies a ‘Stricter domestic measure’ to some species (including elephants and cetaceans) to upgrade them from CITES Appendix II to CITES Appendix I.

² CITES Appendix II

These species are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so if trade is not properly regulated.