Pictures from left to right: Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) © Robert Harding; African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) © Peter Prokosh; Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon) © Askar Davletbakov; Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)  ©  Joao Corvina

 

The Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP11) was held in Quito, Ecuador, from 4 to 9 November 2014. The COP was preceded by a High Level Ministerial Panel and regional coordination meetings on 3 November, and held along with meetings of the CMS Standing Committee on 2 and 9 November.

Delegates to the COP took important decisions, including among others on the following issues:

  • Proposed listings on the CMS Appendices of 32 migratory species under threat, including the Polar Bear, the African Lion and more than 20 shark species;
  • Species Action Plans for the conservation of Argali Sheep, Pacific Loggerhead Turtles and the Saker Falcon;
  • Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015-2023 to provide vision, leadership and a driving force toward the full and effective implementation of commitments related to migratory species;
  • Programme of work on climate change and migratory species;
  • Guidelines to prevent the risk of poisoning of migratory birds;
  • The prevention of illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds;
  • Management of marine debris;
  • Advancing ecological networks to address the needs of migratory species;
  • Review of the deployment of renewable energy technology and its impacts on migratory species and guidelines on how to avoid or mitigate those impacts;
  •  A new initiative on Central Asia including a programme of work for the conservation of large mammal migrations in this region;
  • A series of important institutional issues including on concerted and cooperative action,  an implementation/review mechanism for the Convention, and options for a new structure and modus operandi of the Scientific Council.