The 20th Conference of the Parties to CITES (COP20) opened on 24 November 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This major event brings together more than 3,500 delegates from 185 countries to strengthen the protection of species of wild fauna and flora threatened by international trade.

Placed under the theme « From policy to practice: monitoring funding and action for regulated wildlife trade »The COP20 aims to ensure that international trade remains sustainable, legal and not harmful to species.

The Malian delegation, led by the Technical Adviser of MEADD, the Director General of Waters and Forests, as well as a team from the Degraded Lands Restoration Project (PRTD-Mali), is actively participating in the work.

The opening ceremony, rich in strong messages, recalled the urgent need to protect wildlife in the face of growing pressures.