Advisory committees meet throughout the year and provide policy guidance and technical support to the Conference of the Parties (CoPs) to inform the decision-making process.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee is the senior committee comprised of representatives from each of the six CITES geographical regions, responsible for providing guidance to the Secretariat regarding CITES implementation and management of the Secretariat's budget. The Standing Committee coordinates with and advises the Animals and Plants Committees, and carries out any activities assigned to it between meetings of the CoPs. The Standing Committee meets annually, as well as immediately prior to and after a meeting of the CoPs.
The United States is the current Chair of the Standing Committee, elected by the members representing the regions. As Chair, a representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presides over meetings of the Standing Committee, approves the provisional agenda prepared by the Secretariat, and liaises with other CITES committees in carrying out functions of the Standing Committee.
Animals and Plants Committees
The Animals Committee and Plants Committee are scientific advisory bodies made up of experts representing each of the six geographical regions of CITES, focusing on wildlife trade and capacities to regulate and conserve wild animal populations. The committees fill gaps in biological and other specialized knowledge regarding species of animals and plants that are, or may become, subject to CITES trade controls. They undertake periodic reviews of listed species, advise when trade in a particular species may be unsustainable, and draft documents for consideration at CoPs.
Dr. Thomas Leuteritz is the alternate representative for North America on the Animals Committee.
Learn more about the committees below.
Standing Committee
Animals and Plants Committees
Establishment of Committees
