Nature Knows No Borders: Inside the CMS COP14 Biodiversity Summit Adopting a New 10-Year Plan

CMS COP14

The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from February 12th to 17th, 2024. The conference has the theme “Nature knows no borders”, emphasizing that migratory animals cross geographic and political boundaries in their natural movements. CMS COP14 will be the first key global meeting focused on protecting biodiversity since governments adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement in 2022, which sets goals and targets for conserving nature over the next decade.

CMS COP14 is gathering representatives from the 132 member nations signed onto the CMS treaty, along with observers from scientific and environmental organizations. The participants are assessing progress made so far in protecting endangered migratory species under the CMS Strategic Plan for 2015-2023 and are adopting a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2032 that will align conservation targets with those of the Global Biodiversity Framework. An important objective is identifying ways to strengthen collaboration between the CMS and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in safeguarding habitats and species across borders.

Key topics of CMS COP14

• Reviewing implementation of CMS and progress on Strategic Plan 2015-2023
• Adopting new Strategic Plan 2024-2032
• Enhancing collaboration between CMS and CBD
• Habitat conservation and restoration
• Addressing threats to migratory species

At CMS COP14, the parties signed onto the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) treaty are examining the progress made in recent years towards reaching the goals laid out in the 2015-2023 Strategic Plan for protecting endangered migratory animals. Specifically, they are reviewing actions taken so far to conserve and restore habitats like wetlands and forests used by itinerant species, mitigate threats posed by climate change and pollution, and halt poaching and overexploitation of migratory animals. The parties are also adopting a new 2024-2032 Strategic Plan that will map out conservation priorities for the next decade, including quantitative targets and milestones.

Additionally, CMS COP14 participants are identifying opportunities to boost collaborative conservation efforts between the CMS and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which oversees protection of ecosystems and non-migratory wildlife. This includes exploring potential synergies between the implementation and reporting processes of the two treaties. There is also a focus on aligning the CMS 2024-2032 Strategic Plan with the overarching goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework recently adopted under the CBD.

Other agenda items at CMS COP14 include developing new programs for restoring degraded habitats and landscapes needed by migratory species to complete their life cycles. The parties are also adopting guidelines and best practices aimed at addressing pressing threats to migratory animals, such as light pollution that disorients species during key migrations, infrastructure projects that disrupt migrations pathways, and emerging infectious diseases that can rapidly spread across borders.

New initiatives of CMS COP14

• First State of the World’s Migratory Species report
• Guidelines on light pollution
• Best practices for linear infrastructure

CMS COP14 will mark the release of the first-ever comprehensive report summarizing population trends and conservation status for migratory species around the world. This landmark State of the World’s Migratory Species report synthesizes data on factors driving change and evaluating efficacy of protection efforts for terrestrial, marine and avian migratory animals that cross national borders. The report will help establish baselines and benchmarks as well as inform evidence-based policies for enhanced conservation outcomes.

Delegates at CMS COP14 are also adopting two sets of voluntary guidelines aimed at minimizing detrimental anthropogenic pressures facing endangered migratory animals along their routes.

One set of recommendations focuses on curbing outdoor artificial light pollution from sources like streetlights that can disorient and interfere with migrations of birds, bats, insects and sea turtles.

The other set of guidelines provides science-based best practices for linear infrastructure projects like roads, pipelines and powerlines to ensure they incorporate safe wildlife crossing structures and avoid fragmenting key habitats. These guidelines will facilitate sharing expert knowledge on reconciling development goals with sustaining biodiversity.

Conclusion

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) adopted in 1979 provides an overarching global framework for transboundary cooperation and policy coordination between countries to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species threatened with extinction. As a treaty signed by 132 member states, the CMS recognizes the collective responsibility of nations to work together through agreements and conservation plans to restore habitats, mitigate threats and halt population declines for endangered migratory species around the world.

Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Appendices

The CMS has two Appendices that list species warranting conservation action:

• Appendix I includes migratory species categorized as being in danger of extinction. It lists migratory animals that need strict protection measures and conservation actions from signatory parties of the CMS treaty. Examples include endangered cetaceans, bats, cranes, and gorillas.
• Appendix II encompasses migratory species with an unfavorable conservation status that would still significantly benefit from international cooperative efforts. It aims to facilitate multilateral agreements for improving the conservation status of vulnerable migratory animals like ducks, sharks, falcons, and antelopes. Signatory parties strive to conclude regional Agreements for Appendix II species.