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Role of CITES in reducing risk of future zoonotic disease emergence associated with international wildlife trade

Document type
Decision
Reference number
20.10
Date
Dec 5, 2025
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Mar 3, 1973)
Meeting
Twentieth meeting of the Conference of the Parties
Website
cites.org
Abstract

Decision directed to Secretariat

The Secretariat shall, subject to external budgetary resources where necessary, and in collaboration with the Animals Committee: 

a) update the webpage on the Role of CITES in reducing risk of future zoonotic disease emergence associated with international trade so that Parties can readily access information on pathogens and wildlife trade from the Quadripartite and other relevant international organizations; 

b) through the CITES partnerships with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), convey CITES’ expertise on wildlife trade in the Quadripartite's work; implement the CITES-WOAH joint programme of work and invite WOAH to inform the CITES Secretariat when emerging and zoonotic WOAH-notifiable diseases are reported to WOAH in CITES-listed species; 

c) making use of existing information, encourage Parties, as appropriate, to make use of the guidelines and best practices in international wildlife trade recommended by WOAH, FAO and the Quadripartite, such as the WOAH Guidelines for Addressing Disease Risks in Wildlife Trade, including collaboration with national veterinary services, and development of wildlife surveillance, to mitigate infectious disease transmission and zoonotic spillover risks; and 

d) as a member of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), advise the CPW on how the work being conducted by CITES Parties and the Animals Committee can contribute to the CPW joint initiative focussed on embedding the sustainable use and management of wildlife through a One Health approach.