Uzbekistan unveils official logo for CITES COP20

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Government of Uzbekistan has unveiled the official logo for the upcoming 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which will be held in Samarkand from 24 November to 5 December 2025.

The logo, designed by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, was presented on 3 February in Geneva during the 78th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee.

Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change, opened the session and noted: “The COP20 logo symbolizes Uzbekistan’s commitment to preserving our unique wildlife species. Every element of the logo carries profound meaning, reflecting the inseparable connection between nature, culture, and history in our region. We are proud that Uzbekistan will host this significant forum, which will serve as a platform for discussing global biodiversity conservation issues. We are confident that this meeting will be an important step in strengthening international cooperation and developing effective mechanisms for wildlife protection.”

The logo incorporates several significant elements representing Uzbekistan’s natural and cultural heritage: an ancient petroglyph of the argali (wild sheep), the medicinal plant Rhodiola semenovii, and famous monuments from the historic city of Samarkand, which will host COP20. The image of the argali, listed in CITES Appendix II and found in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting rare and endangered species, while also symbolizing the connection between nature and the region’s historical heritage. The flowers of Rhodiola highlight the key role of flora in ecosystems and its importance for human health. Meanwhile, the architectural monuments of Samarkand, one of the world’s oldest cities, embody the richness of Uzbekistan’s history, culture, and hospitality, with the city itself becoming a symbol of harmony between the past and future, linking cultural and environmental heritage.

CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero congratulated the Government of Uzbekistan on the successful presentation of the logo, stating: “This emblem, symbolizing the magnificence of Uzbekistan’s wildlife, beautifully reflects the spirit of CITES’ 50-year history in nature conservation and represents an important step toward creating the conditions for productive discussions and decisions that will be made at COP20.”

It is worth noting that Uzbekistan will be the first country in Central Asia to host the meeting of the 185 Parties (184 countries + the European Union) to CITES and a wide range of stakeholders involved in wildlife conservation and trade. The event is expected to draw over 4,000 delegates and participants, and will be held in the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy."