The largest-ever world wildlife conference kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, on September 24, with calls for changes to protection levels of 500 species of wild animals and plants. The conference took place at the 17th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

During the 12-day conference, participants will discuss 62 proposals to change CITES trade controls put forward by 64 countries which affect close to 500 species.

This includes some of the endangered plants and animals in Africa, including the African elephant, white rhinoceros, peregrine falcons, African grey parrot, the Titicaca water frog and psychedelic rock gecko, as well as the Grandidier's baobab tree and many species of rosewood.

Decisions will be taken on matters affecting domestic trade in ivory, and international trade in ivory and rhino horn.

Over 2,500 representatives from more than 180 governments, intergovernmental organizations, indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists and businesses are attending the meeting. The COP17 is the largest event in CITES' 43 year history.

China has sent out a governmental delegation to the meeting headed by Liu Dongsheng, Deputy Administrator of the State Forestry Administration. Related trade organizations and associations have also sent their representatives to the meeting.

CITES is a legally binding agreement which aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It does so by monitoring, listing and regulating legal and sustainable wildlife trade and by combating illegal wildlife trade. It currently regulates trade in over 35,000 species of wild animals and plants.

The conference will end on October 5.