2. The CITES is the convention on international trade in endangered species of flora and fauna. Its
purpose is to regulate this international trade. Is also known as the Washington Convention (it
was signed on 3rd March 1973 in Washington DC).
Partecipation is voluntary and countries that have agreed to be voluntary are known as
“Parties”.
3. CITES entered into force on 1st July 1975. Now days it protects more than 35000 species of
animals and plants. It is part of the ONU. all ONU members have joined the convention, with the
exception of Andorra, North Korea, Haiti, Micronesia, South Sudan, Tonga and Turkmenistan.
The current number of members is 182; the last one was the Tajikistan, which signed the treaty
in January 2016.