40 Years of Conservation Measures for Migratory Wildlife Worldwide

PRESS RELEASE

 

Today, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Federal Ministry and CMS co-hosted a reception in Berlin, attended by diplomatic representatives from dozens of countries.

Minister Svenja Schulze stressed the special importance of species protection across the world. She called for even more countries to join the Convention. The Convention is the only global treaty dealing with the conservation of migratory animals and their habitats around the world, including birds, whales, dolphins, sharks, elephants, antelopes and gorillas.

In her speech, Federal Environment Minister Schulze said: "Germany has been involved from the outset. As co-initiator of this treaty it supports numerous projects and initiatives, such as the protection of migratory species of the Central Asian steppes or marine species such as rays and sharks. Global species protection is close to my heart and I am committed to ensuring that in ten years' time, on its 50th anniversary, more than 150 countries will be participating in the Convention. That would be a great step forward in supporting global species protection even more comprehensively and halting the loss of biodiversity."

Acting CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel noted in her remarks that:  "For the past 40 years, the Convention on Migratory Species has been at the forefront of addressing threats to migratory wildlife around the world. We are deeply grateful for the immense support of the Government of Germany, not only as the host of our headquarters in Bonn, but also for its financial support and policy leadership on a wide variety of initiatives. We have achieved many successes in 40 years. But with new and intensifying threats, such as habitat loss, pollution and climate change, it is time to increase the scope and the level of our efforts to ensure the survival of migratory species.”

The Bonn Convention is one of the oldest global environmental treaties and was the first UN Organization to take up its headquarters in Bonn.  Since its negotiation and signature at the Godesburg Castle in Bonn, the Convention has grown to 128 Member States. More than 30 other States participate in related agreements under the treaty. Many partner organizations and wildlife experts work together with the Convention.

CMS is unique in providing   an international platform for countries with shared wildlife to work together for their transboundary conservation.  Preserving migratory species and their habitats also provides important economic benefits, such as pollination of plants, dispersal of seeds, pest control, and building resilience to climate change. 

These efforts also support achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include goals on protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.  
 

For more information please contact:

Florian Keil, Coordinator of the Joint Communications Team at the UNEP/CMS and UNEP/AEWA Secretariats. Tel: +49 (0)228 815 2451
 
Veronika Lenarz, Public Information, UNEP/CMS Secretariat, Tel: +49 (0)228 815 2409, Email: [email protected]

Last updated on 27 June 2019