ISLAMABAD: A committed signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Pakistan is proud to announce its remarkable promotion to CITES Category I, a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation. The United Nations’ intergovernmental agreementCITES helps prevent the unsustainable exploitation of wild fauna and flora in international trade, according to a press release published on Friday.In line with this commitment, Pakistan has been diligent in regulating the import and export of wild fauna and flora in a collaborative effort led by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, provincial wildlife departments and Pakistan Customs.At the core of Pakistan’s conservation efforts is the existing exclusive legislation on the careful implementation of CITES (Pakistan Control of Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012). This legislation underscores Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices and ensures the existence of endangered species.CITES classifies parties into three categories (Class I, Class II and Class III) based on the consistency of their national legislation in implementing the Convention. After a thorough review process, the Pakistani legislation received the recognition it deserved, rising from Category II to the prestigious Category I.This statement, issued at the 77th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee on 8 November 2023, is firm confirmation that Pakistan’s legislative measures comply with the highest standards of CITES implementation.
