The Fifteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties
to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

 

THEME

Connecting Nature to Sustain Life

 

 

WHEN

23 - 29 March 2026

 

 

WHERE

Campo Grande, Brazil

 

 

 

  Meeting Process

 

 

  Events

Migratory Species Champion Night

 

 

 

 

  Communication & Media

 

 

  Participation

 

 

 

The COP15 logo was developed by the Government of Brazil in close cooperation with the Secretariat and features the Jaguar, the Amazonian Catfish, and a variety of sea birds to call to mind Brazil’s rich biodiversity, and to reflect the wide range of terrestrial, aquatic and avian species that will be the focus of this UN wildlife conservation conference. 

download the logo

The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) will take place from 23 to 29 March 2026 at the Bosque Expo in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This is the first time CMS COP is hosted in Brazil, the world’s most biodiverse country, and at the gates of the Pantanal region—one of the richest and most vibrant biomes globally. The meeting will bring together governments, scientists, conservationists, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, environmental leaders, and civil society from around the world to address urgent conservation challenges facing migratory species that cross international boundaries.

CMS COP15 will be convened under the slogan “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life”. This theme highlights the vital role of ecological connectivity for conserving ecosystems, which are crucial both for migratory species and human well-being. The slogan also reflects linkages between ecological connectivity, the conservation of migratory species and climate change. 

During the week-long negotiations, CMS COP15 is expected to consider:

  • High-Level Political Commitments & Declarations – A Ministerial Declaration will emphasize key global commitments for  migratory species conservation.
  • Strengthening Global and Coordinated Conservation for Migratory Species – Reviewing and approving proposals from CMS Parties to add species at risk to the CMS Appendices.
  • Implementing Targeted Conservation Actions – Advancing new concerted actions, action plans and other conservation measures to address the most pressing needs and threats.
  • Combating Illegal Take and Addressing Overexploitation of Species  – Strengthening measures to prevent   illegal taking, overuse, and bycatch.
  • Enhancing Ecological Connectivity – Taking decisive steps to safeguard vital migratory corridors and networks.
  • Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure which minimizes negative impacts on migratory species.
  • Driving the Samarkand Strategic Plan (2024–2032) Forward – Evaluating progress and setting the course for the next decade of action.
  • Addressing Global Challenges Impacting Migratory Species – Tackling climate change, habitat loss, wildlife health threats, and the impacts of pollution and renewable energy infrastructure.
  • Fostering Global Collaboration – Strengthening synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements such as CITES, CBD, Ramsar and integrating conservation with sustainable livelihoods.

 

 

 

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  News & Press Releases

CMS
2026/006: Amendments to the Appendices of the Convention
© IISD/ENB
CMS
40 Migratory Animal Species Receive New or Upgraded Protection at Close of UN Meeting in Brazil
© Aydin Bahramlouian
© Aydin Bahramlouian
CMS
Migratory Species Champion Award Honors Long-term Commitments to Conservation Initiatives at CMS COP15
Cerulean Warbler © Luke Seitz, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Cerulean Warbler © Luke Seitz, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
CMS
New UN-backed Atlas Maps Migratory Lifelines of Highly Vulnerable Bird Species Across the Americas
Persian Leopard
Persian Leopard
CMS
Global Initiative to Address Mounting Pressures from Illegal and Unsustainable Taking of Migratory Species Announced at UN Wildlife Conservation Conference
Salmon migration
CMS
UN: Vital Freshwater Fish Migrations are Collapsing
© IISD/ENB
© IISD/ENB
CMS
COP15 Daily Coverage: 23 March 2026
COP15 opening © Rogério Cassimiro/MMA
COP15 opening © Rogério Cassimiro/MMA
CMS
World's Nations Gather in Brazil to Agree on Actions Amid New Findings that More Migratory Species of Animals Are Facing Extinction
© IISD/ENB
© IISD/ENB
CMS
COP15 Daily Coverage: High Level Segment, 22 March 2026
Jaguar (Panthera onca). Photocech / Adobe Stock | #526706118
Jaguar (Panthera onca). Photocech / Adobe Stock | #526706118
CMS
New Report: Decline of Populations of Migratory Species of Animals Covered by UN Treaty Worsens from 44% to 49% in 2 Years
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Moorea, French Polynesia. Photo by Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Moorea, French Polynesia. Photo by Charles J. Sharp (CC BY-SA 4.0)
CMSIOSEA Turtles
Green Turtle Recovery: A Major Conservation Success in Advance of CMS COP15
A Snowy Owl perched on a mound of ice and snow at sunset in Ontario, Canada. © Paul Hartley/Getty Images
A Snowy Owl perched on a mound of ice and snow at sunset in Ontario, Canada. © Paul Hartley/Getty Images
CMSBirds of Prey (Raptors)
Threatened with Extinction, the Snowy Owl is Proposed for International Conservation
Close up of Artic Tern on ice
Artic Tern © Gu Bra/Pexels.com
CMS
Global Experts at UN Workshop Find Climate Change is Threatening the Earth’s Animal Migrations
title
CMS
Brazil to Host Critical UN Conference to Advance Global Conservation of Migratory Wildlife and Their Habitats