The CMS Secretariat is on the ground in Samarkand, for the Twentieth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, hosting or co-hosting the following events:

1. High Level Segment - Panel 2: Global Focus: Multilateral Environment Conventions and Organizations

• Date: Sunday, 23 November
• Time: 15:00–18:00
• Venue: Plenary Hall Argali

• Description: CMS Executive Secretary, Amy Fraenkel speaks at the High-level Segment. 

  Uzbekistan, as the host country of CITES CoP20, in collaboration with UNDP and partners and with support from the CITES Secretariat, aims to organize a High-Level Dialogue to elevate the strategic impact of CoP20 through the launch of one or more special initiatives and high-level advocacy around strategic areas of innovation.

  This Head-of-Delegation event, open to all CoP20 participants, will feature selected speakers invited to contribute to a high-level panel discussion, followed by a reception exclusively for invited participants. It will offer a platform to highlight and exchange insights on innovative conservation finance solutions as relevant to the CoP20 agenda. The event will be used to outline integrated solutions needed to advance the conservation and sustainable use of flora and fauna in line with international requirements as well as national and sectoral strategies. High-level opening remarks will be complemented by presentations and discussions. The event will also be used to demonstrate Uzbekistan’s achievements in this area. 

2. Side-event - Stronger Together: Cooperation between CMS and CITES

• Date: Tuesday, 25 November
• Time: 12:15–13:45
• Venue: Room S. Falcon (70)
• Organizer: CMS Secretariat
• Description: Spotlight key achievements and collaborative efforts under the CITES-CMS JPW, 2021–2025, reinforcing the importance of synergies between the two Conventions in addressing the conservation status of species listed under both Conventions.

3. Side-event - Jaguars at a Crossroad

• Date: Wednesday, 26 November
• Time: 17:15–18:45
• Venue: Room S. Falcon (70)
• Organizers: Panthera co-hosted by Brazil, Mexico and the Jaguar 2030 Coordination Committee: Global Wildlife Program, Inter American Development Bank, IUCN Cat Specialist Group, Panthera, UNDP, UNEP, UNODC, WCS, World Bank, and WWF, with the CITES and CMS Secretariats
• Description: Range States will share how their actions on jaguars under CITES and CMS can help achieve their commitments under the CBD and Global Biodiversity Framework, among other environmental initiatives, with great significance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities throughout Latin America. 

4. Side-event - A CMS Global Initiative on Taking of Migratory Species

• Date: Friday, 28 November
• Time: 19:00–20:30
• Venue: Room Markhor S.
• Organizers: CMS Secretariat with UZBEKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN, CPW and WCS
• Description: Present the Global Initiative on Illegal and Unsustainable Taking of Species at the National Level, a collaborative response under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) to a major but often overlooked threat—domestic taking of wildlife for local use, trade, cultural or other purposes

5. Side-event - FROM LISTINGS TO ACTION: Strengthening Shark and Ray Conservation through Synergies between CMS & CITES

• Date: Saturday, 29 November
• Time: 17:15 - 18:45
• Venue: Room S. Falcon (70)
• Organizers: CMS Secretariat with GERMANY and CMS Sharks MOU Advisory Committee
• Description: Highlight how CITES and CMS can jointly strengthen shark and ray conservation, which are essential for healthy marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. It will promote dialogue among Parties, stakeholders, and experts to identify practical steps to strengthen cooperation at both the Secretariat and national levels. 

6. Side-event - Trade in African Vultures

• Date: Tuesday, 2 December
• Time: 19.00 - 20.30
• Venue: Room Bukahra D. (120)
• Organizers: the Republic of Niger, CMS Secretariat (Raptors MoU), BirdLife International, the IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group, and the Species Survival Network
• Description: Over the past 50 years, seven of Africa’s 11 vulture species have declined by 80-97%, with four now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Urgent action is needed to monitor and curb the trade in vultures for traditional practices or cultural beliefs. Two species are proposed to be transferred from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. This event highlights how CITES can serve as an effective tool for protecting African vultures, reflecting the growing awareness of trade-related threats, and showcases successful, holistic conservation efforts through first-hand experiences from West Africa. 

CITES COP20 Official Events Site: schedule.cop20.live