50 CFR § 23.84 - What are the roles of the Secretariat and the committees?
(a) Secretariat. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General. Its functions are listed in Article XII of the Treaty and include:
(1) Arranging and staffing meetings of the Parties.
(2) Performing functions as requested in relation to listings in the Appendices.
(3) Undertaking scientific and technical studies, as authorized by the CoP, to contribute to implementation of the Convention.
(4) Studying reports of the Parties and requesting additional information as appropriate to ensure effective implementation of the Convention.
(5) Bringing to the attention of the Parties matters relevant to the Convention.
(6) Periodically publishing and distributing to the Parties current editions of the Appendices as well as information on the identification of specimens of species listed in the Appendices.
(7) Preparing annual reports to the Parties on its work and on the implementation of the Convention.
(8) Making recommendations for the implementation of the aims and provisions of the Convention, including the exchange of scientific and technical information.
(9) Performing other functions entrusted to it by the Parties.
(b) Committees. The Parties have established three committees to provide administrative and technical support to the Parties and to the Secretariat. The CoP may charge any of these committees with tasks.
(1) The Standing Committee steers the work and performance of the Convention between CoPs.
(i) This committee oversees development and execution of the Secretariat's budget, advises other committees, appoints working groups, and carries out activities on behalf of the Parties between CoPs.
(ii) Regional representatives are countries that are elected by their respective geographic regions at the CoP.
(2) The Animals Committee and the Plants Committee provide advice and guidance to the CoP, the other committees, working groups, and the Secretariat on all matters relevant to international trade in species included in the Appendices.
(i) These committees also develop and maintain a standardized list of species names; provide assistance with regard to identification of species listed in the Appendices; cooperate with the Secretariat to assist Scientific Authorities; compile and evaluate data on Appendix-II species that are considered significantly affected by trade; periodically review the status of wildlife and plant species listed in the Appendices; advise range countries on management techniques when requested; draft resolutions on wildlife and plant matters for consideration by the Parties; deal with issues related to the transport of live specimens; and report to the CoP and the Standing Committee.
(ii) Regional representatives are individuals, who are elected by their respective geographic regions at the CoP.
(iii) The CoP appoints a specialist in zoological nomenclature to the Animals Committee and a specialist in botanical nomenclature to the Plants Committee. These specialists are ex officio and non-voting, and are responsible for developing or identifying standard nomenclature references for wildlife and plant taxa and making recommendations on nomenclature to Parties, the CoP, other committees, working groups, and the Secretariat.