Bonn, 1 August 2016 - CMS welcomes the Republic of Iraq as the 124^th Party to the Convention with effect from today.

Iraq, a state located in Western Asia, mainly characterized by desert and the important rivers - the Euphrates and Tigris - is the latest Party to have joined CMS. Iraq is an important Range State for 161 migratory species listed under both Appendix I and II of the Convention. CMS warmly welcomes Iraq’s accession.

Many migratory birds pass through Iraq, including the Basra Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis, and the Red-Breasted Goose, Branta ruficollis, which areendangered species.In particular, a great number of migratory birds of prey traverse Iraq, for example, the Pallid Scops-Owl, Otus brucei, Northern Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, Saker Falcon, Falco cherrug, and the Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus, the last two being endangered species.

Iraq also hosts a few migratory species from other classes. The country is part of the migration route of some reptiles, especially testudines. The mammals’ class is mainly consisted of cetaceans and Gazella subgutturosa, the Goitered or Black-Tailed Gazelle. Accordingly, a great variety and a considerable number of species will benefit from the accession of Iraq to CMS.

Iraq is a Range State of a number of other CMS instruments, namely the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning Conservation Measures for the Slender-billed Curlew, Numenius tenuirostris, the MOU on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs, Dugong dugon, and their Habitats throughout their Range, the MOU on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia, the MOU on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks, the Agreements on African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and populations of European bats (EUROBATS),and the Special Species Initiatives on the Central Asian Flyway. CMS is looking forward to strengthening joint efforts in the conservation of migratory species.

This year, on the 10 May, Iraq participated in the celebrations of the World Migratory Bird Day. The activities were promoted in the National Park located in Southern Iraq. The Iraqi Organization for Conservation of Nature, in collaboration with the Qadisiya University, organized a field trip to one site where the migratory species, the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and the Barn Swallow, can be found for summer breeding. An educational lecture about 2016 WMBD’s theme “Stop illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds” was given to an audience of distinct stakeholders, an awareness campaign for school students was held and there was also a screening of a short film.

The recent adhesion of Iraq to CMS will enhance the country’s commitment to theconservation of migratory species.