The Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is pleased to share with you the proposed text for a UN General Assembly resolution entitled World Seagrass Day, proposed by the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. Consensus has been reached on the text of the resolution and it will be taken up on Monday 23rd May at the UNGA plenary.

Seagrass ecosystems are critical coastal habitats, covering over 300,000 km² globally and found in 159 countries on six continents. They provide valuable ecosystem services that support human societies around the world, including food security from commercial and artisanal fisheries, enhancement of coastal water quality by filtering of pollutants, shoreline protection against extreme weather events, tourism and recreational activities, and climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.

Seagrass ecosystems also support thousands of species, including threatened migratory species that are covered in CMS Appendices I and II, such as dugong, shark, ray, and turtle species. Seagrass ecosystems provide a critical food source, as well as a breeding habitat. They also often provide important ecological connectivity with adjacent ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves.

Official UN Days are helpful in raising awareness and promoting action on important issues. We urge you to bring this resolution to the attention of your representatives in UN Headquarters.  

For further information please contact Gabriel Grimsditch, CMS Dugong MOU Coordinator, CMS Abu Dhabi Office, E-mail: [email protected].