SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
SEAFDEC convened the Regional Technical Consultation (RTC) on the Development of
ASEAN–SEAFDEC Common Positions on the Proposed Listing of Commercially-exploited Aquatic
Species (CEAS) in the CITES Appendices on 16–18 September 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The RTC gathered representatives from the CITES Management Authorities, Scientific Authorities,
and National Coordinators of ASEAN–SEAFDEC Member Countries, including Indonesia, Japan,
Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, with Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Viet
Nam joining online. Also participating were technical officers from the SEAFDEC Secretariat and
Departments (TD, AQD, MFRDMD, IFRDMD), as well as resource persons from FAO, academia,
and relevant national agencies. The event was organized under the SEAFDEC project “Enhancing
Regional Responses to Emerging International Fisheries-related Issues” with support from the
Japanese Trust Fund (JTF 7).
In his opening remarks, SEAFDEC Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Koichi Tahara stressed the
importance of the consultation as a regional platform for exchanging views and technical
information on the proposed CEAS listings. These proposals will be discussed at the 20th Meeting
of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20), to be held on 24 November–5 December 2025
in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Over the three days, resource persons shared technical information on species-specific proposals,
providing participants with a stronger basis for discussion and deliberation. The RTC concluded
with an agreed summary and consolidated country views, which will be submitted to the SEAFDEC
Council.
The outcomes of this RTC reflect the strong collaboration among ASEAN–SEAFDEC Member
Countries in addressing international trade-related issues and reaffirm their shared commitment to
promoting sustainable fisheries in the region.
