What is CITES?

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export, and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system. The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need, and their trade is tightly regulated through a standardized permit system.

Appendices of CITES

Appendices I, II and III to the Convention are lists of species afforded different levels or types of protection from over-exploitation. CITES Appendix https://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade-in specimens if these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II includes species in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

A specimen of a CITES-listed species may be imported into or exported (or re-exported) from a State party to the Convention only if the appropriate document has to be obtained and presented for clearance at the port of entry or exit. In some cases, national law may be stricter and it is this which should be applied in such cases.

CITES in Myanmar

Myanmar has joined CITES and entry into force in 1997. As each country which is a party to CITES must designate one or more Management Authorities to be in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities who advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species, Myanmar has formed a Management Authority and a Scientific Authority as follow;

Management Authority

Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw

Director General, Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation

Building (39), Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Phone: 067-3405447,3405427 Fax: 067-3405339

Email: dg.fd@mptmail.net.mm

Scientific Authority

Dr. Naing Zaw Htun

Director, Nature, and Wildlife Conservation Division, Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation

Building (39), Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Phone: 067-3405002 Fax: 367-3405397

Email: nwcdfdmof@gmail.com