The world ’s legal ivory markets must be closed , not regulated , according to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES ) . While an agreement reached on Sunday is not legally binding , campaigners hope it will put pressure on countries to ban markets , which are believed to provide cover for the illegal ivory trade . Although it is illegal to trade new ivory , many countries still permit the sale and purchase of antique items . The Cites nations also agreed for the first time that destruction is an option for the disposal of seized ivory stockpiles, a course already taken by 22 nations. China , which has the largest domestic market in the world , has pledged to open its own market but has yet to set a deadline for the move .
The world ’s legal ivory markets must be closed , not regulated , according to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES ) . While an agreement reached on Sunday is not legally binding , campaigners hope it will put pressure on countries to ban markets , which are believed to provide cover for the illegal ivory trade . Although it is illegal to trade new ivory , many countries still permit the sale and purchase of antique items . China , which has the largest domestic market in the world , has pledged to open its own market but has yet to set a deadline for the move .