Abstract:

Background: The 27th Meeting (PC27) of the Plants Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held from 8 to 13 July 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, attended by 190 representatives of 46 Parties and 30 observer organizations from around the world.
Progress: This meeting included 42 agenda items, mainly discussing the progress in the implementation, and approving some revised drafts of resolutions and decisions for submission to the 20th Conference of the Parties to the CITES (CoP 20). Specifically, the Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix II species such as Aquilaria spp., Gyrinops spp., and Pterocarpus erinaceus was decided; the regulation and protection of products containing specimens of Appendix II Orchidaceae spp. was discussed; the new resolution of “Trade in medicinal and aromatic plant species” was postponed; the resolution of “Implementation of the Convention for agarwood-producing taxa” and the new “CITES Non-Detriment Findings Guidance” and “Guidance on the term artificially propagated” were approved for submission in this meeting.
Perspectives: PC27 reflected the concerted efforts made by all parties to ensure the sustainability of international trade in wild plants, promotes international cooperation and capacity building on CITES science and technology issues, and was also characterized by increased collaboration between CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity, expansion of its mandate, and weakening of the science. A new trend of the CITES Plants Committee appeared during PC27, from the establishment of a regulatory system for ornamental plants two decades ago, with a focus on the conservation and management of tropical and subtropical tree species a decade ago, to the current exploration of sustainable trade in medicinal and aromatic plants that are vital to health and livelihoods.
Recommendations: To implement the CITES more effectively, our country should consolidate the scientific foundation of CITES, improve the research capacity on Non-Detriment Findings, establish a talent team for CITES implementation, and promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild plants.

Key words: CITES, international trade, species conservation, sustainable use