Geneva (TDI): Turkmenistan has become the 185th member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), marking a significant step in regulating wildlife trade and conservation efforts in Central Asia.
The Convention will formally take effect for Turkmenistan on January 2, 2025.
Known for its diverse ecological landscapes, Turkmenistan’s geography includes deserts, mountain ranges, and steppes that are home to a variety of unique species.
The country’s fauna and flora listed under CITES include 94 animal and 15 plant species.
Among them are the Asian houbara bustard, the Imperial eagle, and the Persian leopard, which are listed in Appendix I due to their vulnerability to international trade.
Turkmenistan’s Minister of Environmental Protection, Babanyyazov Charygeldi, emphasized the nation’s longstanding commitment to wildlife conservation.
“Though we have only now ratified CITES, Turkmenistan has consistently adhered to its provisions,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the country’s focus on species such as the Peregrine falcon, listed in Appendix II, which is found in the region.
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The CITES Secretariat welcomed Turkmenistan’s accession, with Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero calling it a “long-awaited milestone” that underscores the region’s growing commitment to sustainable wildlife trade.
“With 185 Parties, the Convention is nearing universal application, amplifying its global impact,” she noted.
Turkmenistan’s membership comes ahead of the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20), which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025.
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The conference coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Convention’s enforcement and is expected to provide a platform for Central Asian countries to propose strategies for sustainable wildlife trade.
The addition of Turkmenistan follows Andorra’s accession to CITES in 2022, signaling growing international cooperation in protecting endangered species.
