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From the launch of the first State of the World’s Migratory Species report, to a resolution on deep-sea mining, and updated guidelines on light pollution, ecotourism, and community involvement in conservation, the first Conference of the Parties in Central Asia effectively tackled many challenges in the conservation of migratory species. (Sintesis en español) (Résumé en français)
Final report
Summary report 11–17 February 2024
All coverage
Populations of migratory species are in decline around the world. Human-caused threats, including habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation, interruption of migratory movements, and global climate change, are widely recognized as the major drivers of these declines.
The Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was adopted in 1979 to increase cooperation to maintain and enhance the ecological connectivity of transboundary habitats, cross-border protected areas, and vulnerable ecosystems along the migratory ranges of specific species. The Convention brings together the Range States through which migratory animals pass and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.
When delegates gather for the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14), threats to migratory species will be front and center. As the first COP since the COVID-19 pandemic, the first to be hosted in Central Asia, and the first major biodiversity conference since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022, COP14 represents a historic crossroads for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats from Europe to Asia and beyond. The conference will bring together CMS parties, partners, and scientific experts to consider:
- the inaugural CMS flagship report on the “State of the World’s Migratory Species,” reviewing the conservation status of migratory species and the relative impacts of various threats;
- new global guidelines on light pollution and best practices for linear infrastructure to minimize impacts on migratory species;
- progress towards the development of an atlas on animal migration;
- strategies to implement the GBF and to strengthen synergies with other biodiversity-related conventions and processes;
- the implementation and possible extensions of Concerted Actions for nine species, as well as proposals for new Concerted Actions for seven species;
- Fourteen proposals to amend the appendices, including to list the Eurasian lynx, Balkan lynx, and Pallas’s Cat in Appendix II;
- a new CMS Strategic Plan for Migratory Species for the period 2024-2032.
COP14 will take place in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 12-17 February 2024, under the theme “Nature knows no borders.” This slogan was inspired by a historic resolution of the UN General Assembly in 2021, led by countries from Central Asia, urging all UN Member States to increase cooperation to maintain and enhance the ecological connectivity of transboundary habitats, cross-border protected areas, and vulnerable ecosystems along the migratory ranges of specific species.
The 54th Meeting of the CMS Standing Committee will take place immediately before COP14, on 11 February.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting are Kate Harris; Brianna Botchwey, Ph.D.; Bernard Soubry, Ph.D.; and Emma Vovk. The Digital Editor is Kiara Worth, Ph.D. The Editor is Pamela Chasek, Ph.D.
Specific funding for ENB coverage of CMS COP14 has been provided by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
View past and future events
Past event
6th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP-6) and 1st Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP-1)
Past event
7th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP-7) and 2nd Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA MOP-2)
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8th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP-8)
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Scientific Seminar on Avian Influenza, the Environment and Migratory Birds
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Meeting to Identify and Elaborate an Option for International Cooperation on Migratory Sharks under the CMS
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4th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA MOP-4)
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9th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP 9)
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2nd Meeting on International Cooperation on Migratory Sharks (SHARKS II) under the CMS
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3rd Meeting on International Cooperation on Migratory Sharks (SHARKS III) under the CMS
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10th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP10)
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2nd Meeting of the Parties (MOP2) of the Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats (the Gorilla Agreement) under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
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5th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA MOP5)
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1st Meeting of Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (MOS1)
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1st Meeting of the Signatories (MoS1) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia
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11th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP11)
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2nd Meeting of the Signatories (MoS2) to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia
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6th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA MOP6)
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2nd Meeting of Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks (MOS2)
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12th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP12)
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13th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13)
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14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14)
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