The CMS Secretariat is pleased to inform Parties, on behalf of the Indian Government,about the High-Level Segment of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)(COP13, 15 - 22 February 2020) which will take place in Gandhinagar,Gujarat, India. 

The High-Level Segment, which will be held in the afternoon of Sunday, 16 February, will feature a special dialogue on CMS priorities for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, including better reflecting the importance of ecological connectivity, essential for migratory species.  

All delegates are welcome to attend the High-Level Segment.  Following the format adopted for the last two CMS COPs, the High-Level Segment was originally planned to take place in a three-hour session, with a speaking role for a small panel of Ministers representing different regions of the world together with the heads of other international conventions, and key international and national organizations. However, given the growing attention that the High-Level Segment has generated, the Indian Government would like to ascertain the interest of CMS Parties in taking part in the event at the Ministerial level. Please note that participation as a speaker is dedicated to Ministers and is therefore not transferable.

Parties are invited to inform the Indian Government and the Secretariat if there is strong interest in participating in this event at the Ministerial level by 18 December by contacting the following persons: Mr Soumitra Dasgupta, Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife), [email protected]for the Governement of India, and Ms. Laura Cerasi, [email protected], for the CMS Secretariat.