Bonn, 31 July 2015 - CMS welcomes the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as the 121^st Party to the Convention with effect from 1 August 2015.

Afghanistan, a mountainous, land-locked state in South Central Asia is the latest Party to have joined CMS. Containing some of the biologically richest and, at the same time, most endangered eco-regions on Earth, Afghanistan is an extremely important Range State for many migratory species listed under both Appendix I and II of the Convention.  CMS warmly welcomes Afghanistan’s accession.

Information on Afghanistan

Migratory species such as the critically endangered Snow Leopard Uncia uncia and Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca are an integral part of these ecosystems. Afghanistan not only harbours these magnificent big cats and birds, but also several other species of international importance, including many endangered migratory raptors and waterbirds. A large number of migratory birds of prey, such as the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus listed under Appendix I, find essential habitats in Afghanistan on their migration routes. In addition, the occurrence of the Argali Sheep Ovis ammon and the Great Bustard Otis tarda make it easy to see how diverse and important Afghanistan’s contribution to CMS will be. The country ranks among the top 10 global hotspots of biodiversity. Many species of Afghanistan’s rich wildlife regularly and predictably cross national borders, thereby qualifying to benefit from the protection under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

As a Signatory to the Siberian Crane MOU and a Range State to the MOU on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey, the Bukhara Deer and the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) as well as of other endangered Appendix I and II species, Afghanistan’s input into future conservation and collaboration efforts could be considerable.

With the accession to CMS, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is now a Party to all treaties participating in the Biological Liaison Group – consisting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), the World Heritage Convention (WHC) and CMS.

CMS is looking forward to strengthening joint efforts in the conservation of not only migratory species, but also our common natural heritage.