The authors outline the genesis of CITES and the governance processes supporting its operation, including regular amendments to its species lists, interpretive Resolutions and action-oriented Decisions adopted at meetings of the Conference of the Parties to CITES. They also discuss the evolution of CITES, including within the context of decisions taken at global sustainable development summits, such as Rio+20, and an exploration of how these summits have recognized and further enhanced the contributions of CITES to sustainable development. Finally, they detail some of the practical tools and mechanisms of CITES, such as legal acquisition findings, non-detriment findings and quotas for proposed trade, the review of significant trade in commercially-exploited species and guidance on addressing livelihood issues, and outlines how these mechanisms support the sustainable use of wildlife and, in doing so, make a tangible contribution to sustainable development.