Samarkand: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has praised the South African negotiating team for their success in securing the adoption of three significant proposals at the Twentieth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – CITES COP20.

According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting, which took place from 24 November to 05 December 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, saw the South African delegation led by Deputy Minister Narend Singh. Among the adopted proposals were the removal of the bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) from Appendix II and the transfer of two succulent species, Avonia quinaria and Euphorbia bupleurifolia, from Appendix II to Appendix I.

Overall, CITES COP20 reviewed 51 proposals for amending the CITES appendices, with 114 draft working documents submitted by various CITES Parties. The Deputy Minister emphasized that South Africa’s priorit
ies focus on conservation efforts and sustainable use of biological resources, backed by thorough assessment and scientific advice from the Scientific Authority.