Press releases

40 Years of Conservation Measures for Migratory Wildlife Worldwide

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.

24 June 2019

Celebrating 40 Years of Global Action for Migratory Animals

Sunday, 23 June marks the 40th anniversary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), also known as the “Bonn Convention” after the city in which it was signed. It is the only global treaty dealing with the conservation of migratory species and their habitats across the world, including birds, whales, dolphins, sharks, elephants, antelopes, and gorillas.

19 June 2019

New Strategy to Eradicate Bird Crime in Europe and the Mediterranean

Two Conventions in the field of wildlife and nature conservation agreed on the elements of a joint strategy to eradicate poaching of birds in the Mediterranean region. An estimated 20 million birds fall victim to illegal killing, taking and trade in Europe and the Mediterranean every year. It is the main cause of the rapid decline of several species in this region.

14 May 2019

World Migratory Bird Day: Birds Globally Threatened by Plastic Waste

Plastic pollution poses serious health risks to wildlife globally, affecting a wide range of species including whales, turtles, fish and birds. On World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated on 11 May, two UN wildlife treaties and conservationists around the world are calling for urgent action to stop plastic pollution by highlighting its negative effects on seabirds and other migratory birds.

09 May 2019

Eight Shark Species to Benefit from Greater Protection Globally

After five days’ intensive discussions, the 3rd session of the Meeting of the Signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks came to a successful conclusion today.

Among the main decisions reached was agreement to include a further eight species on the instrument’s Annex meaning that they should benefit for greater international cooperation to enhance their conservation.

14 December 2018

European Commission and Norway : Champions of Waterbird Conservation

Today Norway and the European Commission will be declared ‘Champions’ of waterbird conservation. The ceremony will take place during the Gala Dinner kindly offered by the Government of South Africa in the margins of the Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) currently underway in Durban.

07 December 2018

Whale Watching - New Resource Shows How To Do It Right

To encourage best practice in the growing whale watching industry worldwide, two intergovernmental organizations have launched a comprehensive handbook. The free online resource provides information on species, advice on locations and guidance for interested whale watchers regarding responsible behaviour. The joint initiative by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) has resulted in the online Whale Watching Handbook which offers comprehensive, impartial and free advice.

16 November 2018

World Migratory Bird Day: New Report Shows Upward Trend for Migratory Waterbirds

Bucking a major general trend, the overall status of waterbird populations listed on the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) has slightly improved over the last ten years, says a new report. The findings are being released ahead of World Migratory Bird Day, an annual, UN-backed global awareness-raising and environmental education campaign focused on migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

11 October 2018

Media Advisory: Impact of Underwater Noise

A side event, where experts will discuss the urgent need to assess, regulate and address the impacts of underwater noise, a transboundary threat, will be held on the side lines of the 19th

18 June 2018

World Migratory Bird Day: Unified Campaign Triggers Events for Birds Around the World

“Unifying Our Voices for Bird Conservation” is the theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2018, which will be celebrated in over 60 countries around the world on 12 May 2018.
World Migratory Bird Day is an annual, UN-backed global awareness-raising and environmental education campaign focused on migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

10 May 2018