From 24 November to 5 December 2025, the 20th Conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held in the city of Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan. This event is one of the key platforms regulating international trade in plants and animals. Representatives of more than 130 countries, heads of global organizations, prominent experts and the scientific community took part. The conference addressed issues related to environmental protection, climate change, conservation of rare animal species, and strengthening cooperation among countries. The Republic of Tajikistan introduced an important environmental initiative at the forum.
It should be noted that on 27 November 2025, within the framework of the Conference and at the initiative of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, a side event was held dedicated to the conservation status of the striped hyena.
As a result, the proposal of the Republic of Tajikistan regarding the striped hyena—currently in a critical state of decline—was moved from Appendix III of the Convention to Appendix II. This decision was officially adopted on 4 December 2025 during the plenary session of COP-20 and was supported by the majority of participating countries.
The inclusion of the striped hyena in CITES Appendix II will significantly enhance international protection of this species. Under this decision, international trade of the animal and its parts will be placed under strict control, opportunities for global monitoring and scientific research will expand, international coordination programs for species conservation and recovery will grow, and participating countries will be obligated to implement necessary measures to prevent poaching and extinction of the species within their territories.
In the countries of Central Asia, this species requires additional protection measures and precise monitoring. In this context, the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan was recognized as timely and aligned with the country’s sustainable environmental policy.
