National focal points have been identified to improve collaboration and communication on a number of specific enforcement issues between agencies responsible for wildlife law enforcement in different countries. This page provides easy reference to these focal points, containing the latest information as submitted to the CITES Secretariat. It is important to note that national protocol and relevant legislation regulating the exchange of information should be observed at all times.
Parties are encouraged to inform the CITES Secretariat of any changes to their nominated focal points.
National focal points for matters related to the illegal trade in rhinoceros horn
A key action arising from the CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2013, was the identification of national focal points for matters related to the illegal trade in rhinoceros horn. Further information on this can be found under 'Strategies and actions', paragraph 2b), of the strategies and proposed actions developed by the Task Force, which are available to Parties in the Annex to Notification to the Parties 2014/006.
All countries implicated in the illegal trade of rhinoceros horn as a range, transit or destination State were encouraged to appoint a national focal point. The focal point is responsible for the facilitation of initial contacts between relevant enforcement agencies within his or her country, and the authorities from any requesting country on matters related to rhinoceros poaching and illegal rhinoceros horn trade.
The directory of national rhinoceros focal points that were developed can be accessed here.
National focal points for totoaba specimen trafficking related matters
A key action arising from the online Meeting of Range, Transit and Consumer States of Totoaba held in October 2021, is that Parties affected by totoaba trafficking should nominate national focal points to facilitate stronger engagement and communication between authorities in different countries about totoaba trafficking related matters. Further information on this can be found in paragraph 1.6 of the meeting outcome document.
The directory of focal points for totoaba trafficking related matters that were developed can be accessed here.
Wildlife enforcement network focal points
A number of wildlife enforcement networks or groups have been created at the regional or subregional level to increase cooperation and coordination to counter illegal wildlife trade.
Following a recommendation of the First Global Meeting of the Wildlife Enforcement Networks, a recommendation of the CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force, and as requested at the Second global meeting of the wildlife enforcement networks, the Secretariat has prepared a directory of wildlife enforcement network focal points to facilitate increased collaboration at the subregional, regional and international levels. The Third Global meeting of Wildlife Enforcement Networks was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21 to 22 August 2019. The Fourth Global meeting of Wildlife Enforcement Networks was held in Panama City, Panama, on 21 to 22 November 2022.
The Directory of WEN focal points can be accessed here. Notification to the Parties No. 2014/021 of 28 April 2014 concerning the directory of wildlife enforcement network focal points can be accessed here.
Enforcement Authorities
The Conference of the Parties in Resolution Conf. 11.3 (Rev. CoP19) on Compliance and enforcement under Regarding reporting to and information sharing with the Secretariat paragraph 25, URGES Parties:
a) to provide the Secretariat with contact details of their relevant national law-enforcement agencies responsible for investigating illegal trafficking in wild fauna and flora;
These details can be accessed through the National contacts and information page on the CITES website, for those Parties that provided it.