Samarkand: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has confirmed that South Africa is fully committed to the international ban on the commercial trade of ivory and rhino horn. This announcement follows media reports that incorrectly suggested South Africa might diverge from the global consensus on this issue.

According to South African Government News Agency, these clarifications come ahead of the upcoming 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20), which is scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November to 5 December 2025. The department emphasized that their policy is driven by science, ethics, and global cooperation rather than commercial interests.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, reinforced the department's stance, stating, "South Africa will not support any move to reopen the ivory or rhino horn trade. Our duty is to protect our wildlife, not to profit from their destruction." The country's approach to conservation is deeply rooted in sustainability, the protection of biodiversity, and the support of communities who coexist with wildlife.

The department also highlighted its ongoing commitment to collaborating with regional and international partners to combat poaching, dismantle trafficking networks, and enhance wildlife law enforcement. It proudly upholds a record of responsible conservation management under CITES, with the aim of protecting species, maintaining ecological integrity, and ensuring that conservation efforts yield long-term social and economic benefits.

Furthermore, the department dismissed any suggestions that South Africa seeks to weaken international agreements or undermine collective conservation efforts. "The DFFE's priority is clear and this is to secure a future where elephants, rhinos, and people can thrive together," the statement concluded.