Bonn, 4 February 2010 - Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Ursula Heinen-Esser visited the CMS Secretariat to meet staff and hear about the activities of the Convention and the co-located Agreements, AEWA, ASCOBANS and EUROBATS.

In welcoming the Minister, CMS Executive Secretary, Elizabeth M. Mrema thanked the German Government for its long-standing support of the Convention since its very inception in 1972 when the idea of an international treaty for the protection of migratory species was first suggested.

Read on

Bonn, 4 February 2010 - Toothed whales are currently suffering from a major threat which is unsustainable loss from by-catch in fishery operations. For 86% of all toothed whale species, entanglement and death in gillnets, traps, weirs, purse seines, longlines and trawls poses a major risk. Lack of food and forced dietary shifts due to overfishing pose additional threats to 13 species.

These are among the findings of a report launched today on the website of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS). A corresponding poster available online shows for the first time all toothed whale species sorted according to their conservation status as defined by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ™.

This encyclopaedia on all 72 species of toothed whales includes the most recent scientific findings on the distribution, migration, behaviour and threats to this group of whales. Maps showing the currently known distribution of each species were provided by IUCN and the Global Mammal Assessment.

Read on (English) (Pressemitteilung)

See the Encyclopaedia and the Poster. The poster can be ordered from the Secretariat.

Bonn, 2 February 2010 - World Wetlands Day (WWD) is being celebrated around the world today under the theme “Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change”. The annual event marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar and represents a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands around one central theme each year.

This year’s theme, “Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change” and the associated slogan “Caring for Wetlands: an Answer to Climate Change” highlight the impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems and the role wetlands play in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Read on

Bonn, 26 January 2010 - the BBC, among other media, has reported that a team of ornithologists has discovered a living specimen of Large-billed Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus orinus), a species often known as the world’s least known bird.

The species was first identified in 1867 and not seen again until 2006. A team from the US-based NGO, the Wildlife Conservation Society , a CMS partner, has recently found a flock of the birds in a remote area of Afghanistan. The Large-billed Reed-warbler belongs to the Muscicapidae family of passerine birds, which is included on Appendix II of the Convention.

Read more on the BBC website.

Bonn, 25 January 2010 - the guest on UNEP’s “Ask the Expert” forum on Friday, 29 January, will be Elizabeth Mrema, the Executive Secretary of CMS. She will be answering questions on the theme of "Migratory species and biodiversity depletion".

Elizabeth’s biography can be found here. If you have a question regarding migratory species and biodiversity depletion, do get in touch with Elizabeth on the day through the forum, which can be accessed here.

Berlin, 21 January 2010 - CMS and CBD have jointly developed a calendar, which is based on the four central messages promoted by the International Year of Biodiversity. It serves as a reference point throughout the year, providing useful information and highlighting important dates of interests for the IYB. The calendar has been published in English, French, Spanish and German with the financial support from the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the CBD Secretariat.

[Read on]

Berlin, 11 January 2010 - The International Year of Biodiversity was launched by German chancellor Angela Merkel at a ceremony in the heart of the German capital yesterday.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity among the public and to reignite global efforts to curb the unprecedented loss in biodiversity. Experts believe the world's animal and plant species are disappearing at a rate about 1000 times the natural rate and that human activity, such as the expansion of cities, farming and infrastructure development are causing the accelerated loss in the world's biodiversity.

[Read on]
[CBD Press Release]

Bonn, 18 January 2010 - the guest on UNEP’s “Ask the Expert” forum on Tuesday, 26 January, will be Edoardo “Ed” Zandri, who works as Task Manager for Biodiversity of Natural Resources at the Global Environment Facility. He was Chief Technical Advisor of the innovative UNEP/GEF African-Eurasian Flyways regional project - "Wings over Wetlands".

Ed’s biography can be found here. If you have a question regarding migratory species conservation, do get in touch with Ed on the day through the forum, which can be accessed here.

Bangkok, 14 January 2010 – the Secretariat of IOSEA, the CMS instrument dealing with marine turtles in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia has just published its “2009 Year-End Review and Look Ahead” and the January 2010 edition of its electronic newsletter.

The review can be downloaded here in pdf format and the newsletter can be accessed here via the IOSEA website.

Bonn, 12 January 2010 - Dr Borja Heredia has entered on duty as the new Scientific and Technical Officer at the CMS Secretariat. He will also serve as the ASCOBANS Senior Advisor.

Borja is well known to many in CMS circles as he has been Spain’s representative on the Scientific Council, and has participated in several CMS COPs and MOU meetings, as well as being involved in other MEAs such as CBD and CITES.

read on

Bonn, 12 January 2010 - in October 2008 the Secretariat announced that it had entered a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) concerning the future management of the GROMS (Global Register of Migratory Species) database. GROMS contains information on nearly three thousand vertebrate migratory species, with their status under the IUCN Red Data List. The total number of species that migrate can only be estimated, but it is thought to be in the range of 5,000-10,000 including 1,000 fish.

New digital maps showing the range of hundreds of species and photographs have now been posted on the new GROMS website – http://groms.gbif.org/. The species database can still be accessed through the old GROMS site at www.groms.de. GROMS was developed by Dr Klaus Riede at Alexander Koenig Museum in Bonn. GBIF is an international government-initiated and -funded initiative whose aim is to make biodiversity data available to anyone, for scientific research, conservation and sustainable development.

22 December 2009 - “Protecting threatened species is vitally important to developing a different relationship with our planet”, said HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco at a recent event in Washington DC, United States. “Humanity needs to adopt a more humble attitude, aware that it needs other species to survive”.

The event was organised by BirdLife, Audubon (BirdLife in the US) and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and took place at the Washington DC Residence of H.E. Gilles Noghes - the Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco to the US. The evening was also attended by Bernard Fautrier and John B. Kelly – respectively CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and President of the Foundation’s US Chapter.

[Read on]

Copenhagen, 19 December 2009 - After a marathon all night session, talks aimed at injecting new and more wide-ranging momentum into the international effort to combat climate change ended with a positive outcome.

Countries attending the UN climate convention's summit in the Danish capital agreed to 'take note' of a document entitled the Copenhagen Accord.

UNEP Press Release | Video Interview with Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP on the "Copenhagen Accord"

Bonn, 17 December 2009 – The largest ever attempt to rediscover a possibly extinct species will be mounted this winter with teams of skilled volunteer observers scouring more than 35 countries around the Mediterranean, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent in the hope of confirming the continued existence of the Slender-billed Curlew.

The Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris) is one of the four most threatened (Critically Endangered) species listed under AEWA and has the smallest population estimate amongst them with no confirmed records since 2001.

[read on: link to AEWA website]

Bonn, December 2009 – Our colleagues at the Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative (WHMSI) have just posted their December update on their website.

They have news on training initiatives and capacity building, an endorsement form WWF, details of improvements to their web presence and initial plans for the fourth meeting of partners in 2010..

[link to the WHMSI website]

Bonn, 4 December 2009 – The 36th Standing Committee started with opening statements given by the Chair, Mr. Mohammed Saud Sulayem of Saudi Arabia, the Host Government and depositary (Germany), Bakary Kante the Director of UNEP’s Environmental Law and Conventions and the newly appointed Executive Secretary of CMS. Mr. Kante (DELC) stated that the International Year of Biodiversity would have a great impact on the CMS Family. He assured the CMS Secretariat of UNEP’s support and promised US$ 50,000 for the forthcoming meeting on the conservation of sharks in February 2010. Mr. Kante explained how the recruitment of the new Executive Secretary had been conducted resulting in the appointment of Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema.

[Read on]

Bonn, 10 December - The third, fully revised edition of the CMS encyclopaedia, the CMS Family Guide, has been published in English. The new version was presented at the recent Standing Committee meeting.

The Guide has been posted on the CMS website in PDF format (see link below) and paper copies can be ordered from the Secretariat.

Click here for a link to the CMS publications page

Bonn, 8 December - Migratory species are particularly vulnerable to climate change. A current study conducted by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) for CMS illustrates that the impact of climate change on migratory species globally is already detrimental. Preliminary findings are available in a summary brochure available for download on the CMS publications website in order to brief policy makers at the earliest opportunity.

This research is currently being presented at the UNFCCC COP15 in Copenhagen. You can find out more at the ZSL booth during the first week and at the CMS booth during the second Copenhagen week. Both are located in Hall H of the Bella Conference Centre. Alternatively, please get in touch with the UNEP/CMS Secretariat directly.

[Read on] [download the leaflet (PDF)]

Paris, 5 December - A major outreach event to mark the Year of the Gorilla at the Museum of Natural History in Paris attracted an interested public in large numbers.

The event on 5th December, organized by the French Ministry for the Environment (MEEDDM), was held in the run-up to the United Nations’ climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Theatre performances, which were inspired by African oral traditions, raised awareness on the plight of gorillas and their role to conserve rainforests as keystone species.

A series of films which was screened in the auditorium of the Museum dealt with threats to gorillas as a result of logging, charcoal production, mining activities, armed conflicts and poaching. The role of Lowland and Mountain Gorillas for biodiversity was emphasized in the film “Retour aux Virungas” directed by André Lucas, who guided the audience though the film sessions.

[Read on]

[Discours de Bert Lenten en français]

[programme complet en français]

[information presse en français]

Bonn, 2 December 2009 – UNEP Executive Director, Mr. Achim Steiner has appointed Elizabeth Maruma Mrema as the new Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Secretariat, based in Bonn with effect from 1 December 2009. The announcement was made today at the 36th Meeting of the CMS Standing Committee.

In the four months preceding her appointment, Ms Mrema, the national of the United Republic of Tanzania, served as Officer in Charge of the CMS Secretariat.

[Read on]

Bonn, 1 December 2009 – There is fresh information about initiatives being undertaken under the “Wings over Wetlands” on the project’s website. “Wings over Wetlands” is the largest wetland conservation initiative ever to have been undertaken in the African-Eurasian region and is being funded by the Global Environment Facility, the German Government, AEWA and other donors.

Click here to link to the WOW website, where you can subscribe to their e-newsletter

Nairobi, November 2009 – UNEP's Division of Global Environment Facility Coordination (UNEP/DGEF) and a number of leading organisations involved in the flyway-scale conservation of migratory birds have published a landmark issue paper entitled "The Experience of UNEP GEF and Partners in Flyway Conservation".

The paper provides an overview of the key lessons learned from both the WOW Project and the Siberian Crane Wetland Project - two flagship flyway initiatives currently being supported by UNEP GEF.

The paper illustrates how both projects have become a model internationally and in other regions, showing how the "Flyway Approach" can be put into practice. It is a demonstration of UNEP GEF's continued commitment to build international support for flyway conservation.

Click here to link to the report on the Wings Over Wetlands website.

Bonn, 24 November 2009 – Wilderness and the protection of large transboundary protected areas are vital to conserve migratory species. The Ninth World Wilderness Congress made an important contribution in this regard, bringing together government representatives, scientists, conservation managers, NGOs, local people and several UN agencies in Mexico earlier this month.

[Read on]

[link to the Wild9 website]

Bonn, 24 November 2009 – The UNEP/CMS Secretariat welcomes the accession of Ethiopia to CMS as well as to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). Ethiopia will be the 113th Party to the Convention with effect from 1 January 2010 and the 63rd Party to AEWA with effect from 1 February 2010.

[Read on]

Bonn, Bern, Strasbourg, 23 November 2009 – The Council of Europe’s Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, known as the “Bern Convention”, and the United Nations’ Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, known as the “Bonn Convention”, have signed today in Bern a Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) on the occasion of their common 30th anniversary.

[Read on Press Release [English][Français]

MoC Text [English][ Français]

Cambridge, 23 November 2009 - BirdLife International has just established a shorebird refuge on former hunting swamps on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Barbados is an important stopover site for nearctic birds as they migrate. The refuge has been established with the support of the US Wildlife and Fisheries Services and with the cooperation of hunters.

Read the full article here (links to BirdLife's website)

Bonn, 16 November 2009 – BirdLife International has produced a fascinating film on bird migration as part of its“Born to Travel” campaign. Focussing on migration between Europe and Africa, the film contains excellent footage of a range of species and can be seen via the website of NABU, BirdLife’s German partner.

Click here

Bonn, 13 November 2009 – Melanie Virtue, CMS Inter-Agency Liaison Officer, joined the other biodiversity related convention secretariats and UN agencies at an Environment Management Group meeting in Rome, 10-11 November 2009.

The writing team met to finalise the details of the report “Biodiversity in the UN System: a UN system–wide contribution to the post 2010 Biodiversity Agenda.” The report will be launched at the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September 2010, while a draft will be made available to the 14th meeting of the Convention on Biodiversity’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice in May 2010.

For further details contact Melanie at secretariat@cms.int

Bonn, 6 November 2009 – One of the Secretariat’s longest-serving staff members, Liam Addis, is leaving CMS to take up a post at the Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC).

Liam joined CMS nearly fifteen years ago to become at that time only the fourth full-time member of staff. Most recently, Liam has worked as an External Relations Assistant and played a key role in bringing the negotiation of the Gorilla Agreement to fruition.

His colleagues at CMS wish him all the best for the future.

Bonn, 4 November 2009 – the latest annual update by the IUCN makes depressing reading, as it appears that there is no end in sight for the continuing extinction crisis. Twenty percent of mammals are in danger of extinction (including the gorilla and the scimitar-horned oryx), as are 33% of amphibians and over 25% of reptiles.

“We are determined to fight on to save endangered migratory species”, said Elizabeth Mrema, Officer-in-Charge of UNEP/CMS. “The latest IUCN report only serves to show how important it is for the countries of the world to work together and to ensure that all the fine words are translated into effective action. CMS is one of the forums that enables governments to do so”.

[read more on the IUCN website]

Randburg/Bonn, 3 November 2009 – On 24 October, a grand total of 160 bird photographers followed the call of Mark Anderson, the Executive Director of Bird Life South Africa and the winner of the 2008 AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award to photograph 350 different wild birds in South Africa over a period of 24 hours and to make these photos available on a single website within the next 24 hours.

This unique presentation of South Africa’s amazing avifauna was one of 5200 creative activities which were carried out in 181 countries in support of the global 350.org’s International Day of climate change on 24 October 2009

[read more on the AEWA website]