The Americas Flyways Framework Task Force

Americas Flyways Framework (AFF) Task Force

The Americas Flyways Framework (AFF) Task Force was established based on a decision of the 11th meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP11), held in Ecuador in 2014, through a joint effort of the CMS Flyways Working Group, the CMS Secretariat and the Western Hemisphere Migratory Species Initiative (WHMSI). The Task Force has been set to coordinate engagement of partners in the development and implementation of the Americas Flyways Action Plan as a tool to achieve and implement the goals and actions outlined in the AFF, including provisions for concerted conservation action for priority species. Relevant hemispheric entities are involved with the aim of reinforcing their mandates.

The AFTF aims to establish a shared and common practice for conservation of migratory birds in the countries of the Americas, strengthen the implementation of already existing initiatives for migratory bird conservation in the Americas and promote cooperation between countries. The Task Force facilitates implementation of the AFF and the associated Action Plan, with a focus on filling gaps and enacting conservation on the ground. To this purpose, the AFF Task Force engages with governments and multiple relevant stakeholders in the whole Americas Flyway region, including North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America. Activities cover all migratory birds in the Americas, including the austral migrants, with a special focus on threatened and declining species.By December 2024, the initiative covers 272 species and includes 13 Range State Members and 12 Observers (see: AFTF).

   List of Members

   List of Observers

Key threats to migratory birds in the Americas include

1. Habitat destruction and degradation due to agriculture and urban expansion.
2. Climate change impacts on breeding, staging, and wintering habitats.
3. Pollution, illegal killing, and unsustainable hunting practices.

Background: Establishment and adoption of  the framework

• 2011 (COP10, Bergen): Recognized the need for a migratory bird conservation framework in the Americas, initiating the development of AFF under the CMS.
• 2014 (COP11, Quito): Adopted the AFF and the Global Programme of Work on Migratory Birds POW (2014-2023), establishing a roadmap for action.
• 2017 (COP12, Manila): Adopted the Americas Flyways Action Plan (AFAP).
• 2020 (COP13, Gandhinagar): Reaffirmed the AFF and AFAP ensuring continuity of efforts.
• 2024 (COP14,Samarkand): Through CMS Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP14) , the CMS COP14 confirmed the continuation of the AFFTF and strengthened its mandate in the role of updating the Americas Flyways Framework and its Action Plan in line with the new CMS Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species (SPMS) 2024-2032.

There are also a number of action-oriented Decisions related to particular aspects of the work directed to various groups,  Decisions 14.137, 14.139, 14.141 and 14.142-Flyways.

Key milestones meetings and outcomes

The First Meeting of the Americas Flyways Task Force was held on 26-27 July 2018 in the city of Florianópolis, at the kind invitation of the Government of Brazil. Representatives from governments and several initiatives active in the Americas Flyway exchanged information about their work.

1. Species conservation priorities were reviewed and critical gaps in conservation efforts were identified.
2. The first workplan (2019-2020) for the AFF Task Force was endorsed.
3. Task Force activities and awareness activities to be done in the Americas Flyways were approved.

The Second Meeting of the Americas Flyways Task Force was held on 5-6 December 2024 again in the city of Florianópolis, at the kind invitation of the Government of Brazil. Representatives from governments and key initiatives in the Americas Flyway addressed the following:

1. Implementation of the Americas Flyways Action Plan was reviewed, and implementation gaps were identified.
2. Updates to the AFF and Action Plan in alignment with the SPMS were endorsed.
3. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Americas Flyways to be presented at COP15 was discussed.
4. New candidate species to be proposed for listing to CMS COP15 were endorsed (see: Preparation of Species Listing Proposals for consideration by CMS COP15).

For more detailed outcomes, please refer to the respective pages for AFTF1 and AFTF2.

   Key Documents of the AFF Task Force process

   Research Guides

Useful Links

3rd AFF TF Meeting, Campo Grande, BRA2nd AFF TF Meeting, Florianópolis, BRA 1st AFF TF Meeting, Florianópolis, BRA CMS-WHMSI Flyways Meeting