In the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, long known as the crossroads of cultures, I found myself at a different kind of crossroads: the future of the world’s wildlife.

In one of the world’s oldest cities, thousands of leaders gathered for the 20th United Nations World Wildlife Conference. Also known as the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), this conference brought together about 3,500 delegates, biologists, policymakers, law enforcement experts, and conservation advocates representing 164 parties and hundreds of accredited observers from non-governmental organizations, industry, and the media.

As a 2025 Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, I am placed in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and had the opportunity to support the United States Delegation at CITES CoP20. The Service is the CITES implementing authority for the U.S. and plays a key role in facilitating international trade, developing policy, and combating trafficking in wildlife. CITES is an international agreement between governments, including 184 countries and the European Union, designed to ensure that international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten the existence of the species in the wild. For the past 50 years, the convention has provided a framework for global cooperation so that trade is legal, traceable, and sustainable. While the work of the Convention happens year-round, the Conference of the Parties, held every three to four years in a different region of the world, is where the most crucial decisions are made.

At CoP20 I saw how international wildlife policy is negotiated, debated, and ultimately shaped. Over the course of two weeks, parties worked through hundreds of decisions that would determine how species across the globe are protected moving forward.

One of the most exciting aspects of CoP was witnessing the science-to-policy interface in action. Decisions were grounded in the most up-to-date scientific information, and there were moments of anticipation in committee rooms as votes were cast. One major win in the marine conservation space was the decision to grant the oceanic whitetip shark—a heavily traded shark species and one recognized as critically endangered—the highest level of protection under CITES Appendix I. This listing, which bans international trade, aligns with protections under the Convention on Migratory Species that prohibit take. By doing so, it will make illegally traded fins easier to identify in markets and ultimately contribute to the species’ recovery. Several other species such as whale sharks and manta rays received the same protection under an Appendix I listing, marking meaningful progress for global marine conservation efforts.

Several species of conservation concern, such as Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and African hornbills, gained stronger trade regulations through an Appendix II listing, which requires export permits and reporting trade data.

In addition to species listings, parties adopted decisions that provide guidance on how to implement CITES. Totoaba, an endangered marine fish, and vaquita, an endangered porpoise, received stronger protections through the expansion of no-take zones informed by the most recent vaquita surveys, while big cats benefited from decisions aimed at strengthening coordinated implementation.

The breadth of topics and issues covered was eye-opening. Gatherings like CoP are essential to advancing wildlife conservation because they bring together government authorities alongside key stakeholders, like local community representatives and conservation biologists. Each perspective is vital, and creating space for these groups to collaborate fosters more informed decisions, meaningful solutions, and lasting progress.

Parties and stakeholders worked through difficult conversations to reach the best possible compromises. While each delegation and observer party arrived with their own priorities and interests, there was a shared understanding that conservation—for both present and future generations—was the goal.

What struck me most was the collective passion. Thousands of people from all over the world, representing different governments, cultures, and perspectives, came together because they care deeply about wildlife.

My background in wildlife conservation is mostly focused on marine and coastal ecosystems. CoP20 broadened my perspective in unexpected ways. Growing up, I immersed myself in National Geographic magazines, fascinated by stories of tigers, leopards, whale sharks, elephants, and other iconic species. I never imagined that one day I would be in an international forum, observing the advancement of their conservation. Being there was surreal, and incredibly motivating. It expanded my understanding of what is possible in a conservation career and reinforced the importance of global collaboration.

I had the opportunity to sit in U.S. delegation meetings, join bilateral conversations, participate as a note taker, and support preparations for side events that the Service was speaking at. Prior to the CoP, I coordinated the CITES CoP20 Public Meeting, where the Service solicited public comments on species proposals and decision documents. Receiving input from U.S. stakeholders is a critical step in shaping U.S. negotiating positions. Seeing how those perspectives fed into international discussions gave me a deeper appreciation for the preparation behind a successful CoP.

One lesson became abundantly clear: conservation knows no borders. While there is still much work to be done, I left Samarkand hopeful for the future of the world’s wildlife. I had witnessed collaboration on a global scale, informed by science and local perspectives, driven by a shared commitment to conservation. I was truly inspired by this experience and will take these reflections with me as I continue my career in wildlife conservation.