Statement of Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals on the International Day for Biological Diversity

We're part of the solution #ForNature

Environmental challenges have never before been so pressing:  The loss of wild species and natural habitat, climate change and the global health crisis all point to the havoc we are wreaking on nature and its ability to sustain us. 

Yet we have everything at our disposal to reverse these trends.   We are all part of the solution. 

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is the only global intergovernmental agreement that focuses on the conservation of migratory species and their habitats.  CMS provides a unique platform for countries, partners and stakeholders to work together at the transboundary, regional and global levels to address commons challenges.   

For instance, CMS coordinates efforts in the Mediterranean region to address the illegal killing of migratory birds. In line with mandates of CMS and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, EU Member States recently agreed on a ban on using lead ammunition in and around wetlands.

The CMS Energy Task Force provides a focused initiative involving governments, the private sector, financial institutions and stakeholders to ensure that renewable energy technologies minimize adverse impacts on migratory birds and other species, through technical guidance and planning.   

Restoring ecological connectivity by removing barriers to migration or making them permeable is a key priority for conserving many ungulates in Central Asia. Guidelines to avoid lethal injuries along roads, railways and fences were developed under the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative, and CMS COP13 called for expanded work on linear infrastructure.

In the fight against plastic pollution, the CMS Secretariat joined UNEP to implement the CounterMEASURE project, which is generating scientific knowledge and policy guidance on the impact of plastic pollution on migratory species in the Mekong, Ganges and other South-east Asian rivers.  

Yet the underlying causes of biodiversity loss need to be addressed.  These include the loss of habitat from agriculture, and overexploitation of wild species.  We can’t do it alone.   

 We are all part of the solution #ForNature.

Last updated on 21 May 2021