In a notification No. 2025/062 dated May 2, 2025, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) notified the Lebanese government of the suspension of all trade in all CITES-listed species with Lebanon until further notice. Despite Lebanon having been a member of the Convention since 2013, this suspension stems from its failure to meet the minimum requirements set forth in the Conference Resolution, and its failure to make progress in developing national legislation. Despite the competent committee giving the relevant authorities in Lebanon an opportunity to take appropriate measures within 60 days, these authorities failed to comply with the requirements of the Convention. Consequently, Lebanon's membership was suspended, a potentially negative development for the Lebanese environment and a potential blow to the country's credibility. The text of the decision recommending the suspension of trade was contained in a letter sent by the Secretariat, as follows:
1. The Secretariat informs Parties that, as of 1 May 2025, the Standing Committee recommends that Parties suspend trade in all CITES-listed species for commercial purposes with Lebanon until
further notice.
2. Lebanon has been a Party to the Convention since 26 May 2013. The legislation of Lebanon is placed in Category 3, as the legislation does not meet the minimum requirements set out in Resolution Conf. 8.4 (Rev. CoP15) on National laws for implementation of the Convention.
3. At its 78th meeting (Geneva, 2025), the Standing Committee agreed a recommendation to all Parties to suspend trade in all CITES-listed species for commercial purposes with Lebanon for
lack of progress on the development of national legislation (see summary record SC78 SR). The recommendation was to take effect 60 days after it was agreed unless the Party concerned adopts appropriate measures before the expiry of the 60 days or takes significant and substantive steps to do so.
4. In March 2025, Lebanon submitted information concerning its national legislation, including copy of the 2017 Law on Animal Protection and Welfare, and draft regulations prepared on the establishment of the Scientific Authority and on the regulation of trade in wild animal and plant species. After review, the Secretariat concluded that the elements provided by Lebanon do not demonstrate significant and substantive steps to adopt appropriate legislation for the implementation of the Convention. The Secretariat is therefore informing Parties of the recommendation to suspend trade in all CITES-listed species for commercial purposes with Lebanon.
5. Parties are requested to inform their enforcement and customs authorities of this recommendation to suspend trade to avoid the inadvertent acceptance of specimens of species subject to such a
recommendation. Parties that issue import permits for trade in specimens of Appendix-II species are also encouraged to consult the list when processing applications. Parties are reminded that
the complete list of Parties subject to a recommendation to suspend trade is available on the CITES website.
In the second part of this article, we will address the implications and consequences of this decision for the Lebanese state and its relevant authorities, after seeking clarification from the ministry responsible for this agreement, namely the Ministry of Agriculture.
