Hello friends,
Every few years, something extraordinary happens for our ocean — the world gathers to decide the fate of Earth’s most vulnerable species. This week, our Sea Save Foundation team has arrived in Uzbekistan for the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP20), where global protections are negotiated, strengthened, or sometimes lost.
We want you to join us.
For the next two weeks, we will be sending regular, easy-to-follow updates directly from the negotiating rooms. When you sign up as a virtual delegate, you will receive on-the-ground insights about what is happening each day: the debates, the decisions, the victories, and the challenges.
This year could be historic. Both whale sharks and manta rays are being considered for Appendix I — the highest level of protection under CITES. If adopted, this would prohibit all international trade, including trade for exhibitions, education, or research. It’s the strongest global safeguard these species can receive, and momentum is building.
Your voice and attention matter. When thousands of people around the world follow these negotiations, it shows that the public is watching, that these species have champions, and that science-based protections have global support.
Join our delegation from the comfort of your home. Stay informed. Be part of the movement. Stand with us as we work to secure lasting protections for the ocean giants we all love.
Best wishes,
Phil, Georgienne, Jay, and Tobias
CITES CoP20, Uzbekistan