Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoPs)
Every 2-3 years, Parties to the Convention meet to review its implementation and assess progress in conserving the species listed on its Appendices. These conferences offer an opportunity to amend the list of species in Appendices I and II. See, for example, BirdLife’s position below on the proposal to transfer Yellow-crested Cockatoo from Appendix II to Appendix I at CoP13 in Bangkok, Thailand, October 2004.
The Animals Committee (AC) meets between CoPs. This committee of experts was established to fill gaps in biological and other specialized knowledge regarding species of animals that are (or might become) subject to CITES trade controls. Amongst other things, it advises when certain species are subject to unsustainable trade and recommends remedial action (through a process known as the 'Review of Significant Trade'). See, for example, BirdLife's review below of the status of the African Grey Parrot and proposals to CITES for its conservation, one of the species discussed at AC22 in Lima, Peru, July 2006.