Rome / Geneva, 9 April 2024 — On World Wildlife Day, the wildlife conservation community witnessed a significant leap forward with the launch of CITES-LEX. This innovative platform, a collaboration between FAO and the CITES Secretariat, represents a major advancement in the digitalization of wildlife conservation efforts.
CITES-LEX is designed to assist Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to navigate the complexities of international trade in species listed in the CITES Appendices by providing comprehensive access to national catalogues and legislative policies. This multilateral agreement, with 183 States and the European Union as Parties, aims to ensure that international trade does not threaten the survival of these species.
CITES-LEX integrates legal and policy instruments from FAOLEX, one of the largest online repositories for laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and natural resource management. This integration not only ensures the availability of high-quality and reliable information but also enhances the platform's utility in strengthening the legal foundations for wildlife trade and conservation.