CITES is one of the largest and oldest conservation and use agreements in existence. Participation is voluntary and countries that have agreed to be bound by the Convention are designated as Contracting Parties. Although CITES is legally binding on Contracting Parties, it is not a substitute for national laws. On the contrary, it provides a framework that is respected by each party and must adopt its own national legislation for the implementation of CITES at the national level. Often, there is no national legislation (especially in contracting parties that have not ratified it) or there are penalties with the gravity of the crime and insufficient deterrents for wildlife traffickers. [3] As of 2002, 50% of Contracting Parties have failed to meet one or more of the four main requirements applicable to a Contracting Party: the designation of management and scientific authorities; laws prohibiting trade in violation of CITES; the penalties applicable to such trade; Laws that provide for the seizure of copies. [4] WWF hopes that governments will recognize the serious threat posed by wildlife crime and call on countries not to meet their obligations to protect endangered species. At CITES, WWF will focus on representing interests and promoting items related to the illegal trade in elephant elves, rhinos, tiger parties and certain marine species. One of WWF`s main priorities within CoP18 is that CITES is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organisations voluntarily adhere. States that have agreed to be bound by the Convention (CITES) are designated as Contracting Parties.
Although CITES is legally binding on Contracting Parties – in other words, they must implement the Convention – it is not a substitute for national legislation. On the contrary, it provides a framework for each Party to adopt its own national legislation to ensure the implementation of CITES at the national level. Amendments to the convention must be supported by a two-thirds majority”, which is present and voting, and may be made at an extraordinary meeting of the COP if one third of the parties are interested in such a meeting. The Gaborone Amendment (1983) allowed regional economic blocs to accede to the treaty. .