From sharks, rhinos to giraffes - they are the focus of the species conservation conference in Samarkand. As of November 24, 185 states in Uzbekistan will be wrestling over trade bans and restrictions. There is a lot at stake: the fate of more than 230 animal and plant species is being decided. The organization Pro Wildlife warns in advance of dangerous steps backwards in the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates or even prohibits the international trade in plants and animals. "Greed for profit threatens biodiversity more than ever. CITES is the only convention that can put a stop to the commercial exploitation of nature," says Daniela Freyer of Pro Wildlife. "For this year's 50th anniversary, we need visionary decisions." According to Freyer, six applications from southern Africa call for a relaxation of protection for elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Namibia, for example, wants to allow the trade in ivory and rhinoceros horns. "Poaching remains the greatest threat to elephants and rhinos. Only the existing trade bans have ensured their survival. It would be fatal to put a price tag on these endangered species," warns Freyer. Another focus of the conference is the protection of marine animals. According to Pro Wildlife, seven applications concern a total of 74 species of sharks, rays and eels. "The EU is an important driver in the protection of marine species," says Freyer. "But Asian countries and commercial fisheries are already up in arms against the new protection applications. It is important to remain steadfast here." In principle, the WWF is going into the conference "with cautious optimism", says expert Stefan Ziegler even if the states sometimes have very different positions. "Many countries see the sustainable trade in wild species as an incentive for nature conservation." However, biodiversity can only be secured in the long term if the Global South is enabled to better monitor trade. Pro Wildlife is also calling for stricter rules for the international trade in frogs, reptiles and exotic birds. Whether in the private zoo of an Indian billionaire family or in German living rooms - the international live animal trade is threatening more and more species, according to Freyer