09/12/2025
PRESS RELEASE
Zimbabwe Secures Landmark Victory at CITES COP20
Samarkand, Uzbekistan — Zimbabwe has achieved a significant milestone at the just ended 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), marking a hard-won victory in its quest for sustainable wildlife utilization.
The delegation, led by Honourable Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, returned home with renewed optimism after years of unsuccessful attempts to liberalize trade in elephants and unlock the value of ivory and rhino stockpiles. Zimbabwe, home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations—estimated at 91,000 to 100,000 has consistently argued that restrictive trade policies deprive the nation of critical revenue for conservation.
The country currently holds over 190 tonnes of ivory and several tonnes of rhino horn, valued at approximately US$600 million. These resources are urgently needed to manage wildlife and habitats, particularly as elephant numbers have exceeded the ecological carrying capacity of major conservation areas.
However, due to CITES restriction Zimbabwe cannot unlock this value. Among the seven proposals submitted by Zimbabwe, Proposal 14 emerged as the most pivotal. It sought to remove unique restrictions on Zimbabwe’s elephants, listed under CITES Appendix II alongside Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Previously, Zimbabwe was barred from commercially trading elephant hides. In amajor diplomatic success, the proposal was adopted by consensus following extensive negotiations with African states.
This decision allows Zimbabwe to sell value-added products derived from natural mortality, problem animal control, or herd management. The Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife has announced that export regulations will be implemented immediately to capitalize on this positive outcome, paving the way for growth in the biodiversity economy including wildlife, forestry, fisheries, bio-trade, and ecosystem services.
While the victory on elephant hides was celebrated, other proposals faced setbacks. A bid to remove the giraffe from its Appendix II listing, based on new scientific evidence of a distinct Southern African subspecies, was rejected.
However, this will not significantly affect trade, as Zimbabwe maintains a reservation on giraffes entered after their listing at CoP18 in Geneva (2019) allowing continued international trade.
Another proposal, to establish an Advisory Sub-Committee for People Living Alongside Wild Species of Fauna and Flora (PLFF), also failed. This initiative aimed to give communities bearing the costs of coexisting with wildlife a formal voice in CITES decision-making.
Although not adopted, Zimbabwe secured agreement for further discussion during the intersessional period—a modest step toward elevating community concerns at future CoPs. The delegation also welcomed the rejection of a proposal to close domestic ivory markets globally, which Zimbabwe views as undermining the principle of sustainable use.
While Zimbabwe and other SADC states remain concerned about CITES’ decision-making process and perceived overreach, the country acknowledged broad support for balancing conservation with sustainable utilization. Zimbabwe’s assumption of the Chairmanship of the newly formed African Group of Negotiations under the African Union Commission, combined with high-level diplomatic efforts led by the First Lady and Wildlife Patron, Dr A. Mnangagwa, contributed to these outcomes.
Furthermore, during the CoP, Zimbabwe’s technical team led by Ambassador T. T. Chifamba, the Permanent Secretary for Environment Climate and Wildlife, actively engaged Parties such as the European Union, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, United States and other African Parties. Notably, this CoP marked the first time Zimbabwe received direct backing from the United States and the European Union on key motions. Ambassador T. T. Chifamba Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife
For inquiries contact Joyce S. Chapungu, Deputy Director Communication and
Advocacy, Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife on 0772 589 970 or
[email protected]
Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife CITES Zimparks
