Catch up with CITES CoP20

Watch this page for updates on what has happened at the CITES Conference of the Parties meeting 20 being held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan between 24 November and 5 December 2025.

Our Chief Executive Dr Matthew Bond attended on behalf of the European Pet Organization, of which OATA is a member, and he joined forces with other global pet trade representatives to make interventions on a number of species and issues that affect the pet industry.

Below are video updates he’s given throughout his time there – latest video is first.

What are the hot topics on the agenda and what is the global pet industry position?

Read the final round-up on the CITES CoP20 from our Chief Executive

The recent CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) presented a mixed set of outcomes for the pet trade, with both notable successes and but also significant challenges that will require our ongoing engagement.

Positively, there were favorable decisions concerning captive breeding and stony corals. Specifically, the results on captive breeding open doors for trade representatives to provide input on crucial issues like marking and the legal acquisition of founder stock. Furthermore, member organisations successfully advocated for a review of the definition of substrate concerning stony corals. This collaborative success was underpinned by strong coordination across the pet trade sector, leveraging the experience of dedicated people to prepare for future challenges within CITES.

However, a clear ideological divide remains, with a growing faction within CITES intent on blocking sustainable trade. This is most evident in the push to prevent trade in captive-bred specimens outside of range states, which poses a serious challenge to the sector and would negatively impact conservation efforts. It is crucial for the pet trade to engage actively in these conversations to ensure balanced outcomes that avoid overly punitive restrictions on captive breeding. Looking ahead, the CITES signalled that Marine Ornamental Fishes were not dropping off the agenda, particularly with the late suggestion from Israel encouraging parties to list species on Appendix III, indicating that proposals for Marine Ornamentals are likely coming at the next CoP.

In summary, while the CoP offered some short-term victories and demonstrated the power of sectoral coordination, the core ideological battle against sustainable pet keeping and trade persists both within and outside CITES. The positive outcomes on captive breeding and corals provide a good foundation, but the need to push back against anti-trade sentiment and prepare for upcoming proposals—especially regarding marine ornamentals—means the work our sector is certainly not over.

Agenda item 37: Possession of specimens of species included in Appendix I

This proposal could have consequences for zoos, aquariums and/or private keepers if they have animals that were acquired pre-listing on the CITES Appendices. Keepers and other institutions could find themselves being penalised despite acting in good faith and complying with laws at the time of acquisition.

Agenda item 57: Review of Resolution Conf. 8.13 (Rev. CoP17) on Use of coded-microchip implants for marking live animals in trade

Small bodied animals – such as fish – are just not suitable for microchipping and this should be reflected in any resolution.

Agenda item 66: Trade in Stony Corals & Trade in asexually produced stony corals

CITES is proposing changes to definitions around stony corals which could have a big effect on how they are traded. While we support a revision of definitions they need to reflect actual practices.

Agenda item 67: Review of CITES provisions related to trade in specimens of animals and plants not of wild source

Current provisions are working against investing in captive-breeding species so a lot more work needs to be done to solve this.

Agenda item 73: Trade in endemic species

Certain parts of the proposal give governments too much power to ban trade in endemic species, even when records of legal acquisition are incomplete or unclear.

Agenda item 92: Marine ornamental fishes

We will resist any calls for listing proposals for marine ornamental fishes until appropriate research and data are available to inform which species might warrant further management.

Agenda item 102: Considering the ‘look-alike’ criterion Annex 2B A of Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP17) on Criteria for amendment of Appendices I and II

We welcome the UK’s scientific-led guideline proposal on how ‘lookalike’ species are dealt with when it comes to listing proposals.

wATCH VIDEOS OF OUR ACTIVITY REPRESENTING THE INDUSTRY

Our Chief Executive Dr Matt Bond reflects on what happened at the CITES Conference of the Parties meeting in Uzbekistan and what the outcomes will mean for the ornamental aquatics industry in the UK.

Our Chief Executive Dr Matt Bond sits down with fellow pet trade and keeper representative Art Parola to discuss what’s been happening on Day 6 of the CITES Conference of the Parties in Uzbekistan. They cover topics as wide ranging as positive lists and how to deal with endemic species, including captive breeding of species in non-range states.

A round up on the first week of CITES from our Chief Executive Matthew Bond.

Day 4 at CITES was a busy one for the ornamental aquatics industry. Stony coral & marine fishes came up for discussion. Here’s a quick reflection from our Chief Executive Dr Matthew Bond & Ornamental Fish International, European Pet Organization & Norwegian Pet Trade boss Svein Fossa on what happened.

Dr Matthew Bond made a second representation to the committee, on behalf of the European Pet Organization, – this time on the proposals around marine ornamental fishes. A big one for our industry. Watch the video above for some explanation.

Here’s the intervention from our Chief Executive Dr Matthew Bond (representing the European Pet Organization) and AZA that made some difference to what was agreed at CITES on stony corals. This is why it’s so important to go to these meetings and talk on behalf of the industry.