Santiago de Chile/Bonn 19 August 2014 -The UNEP/CMS Secretariat, in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, successfully completed the preparatory workshop for the 11^th Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP 11) in Santiago, Chile from 11-13 August 2014.

The workshop was an excellent training opportunity for delegates from CMS countries throughout Latin America. It offered effective preparation in view of the discussions and negotiations to be held during the upcoming COP11 taking place in Quito, Ecuador.

Over 20 participants from different CMS Parties and non-Parties in Latin America debated the main aspects of the COP11 agenda and, in particular, documents relevant to the region. The main documents discussed during the workshop were: the proposed addition of species to Appendices I and II of CMS, the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species, the proposed restructuring of the Scientific Council, the roadmap for flyways, and the budget plan for the next three years, among others.

The workshop methodology was mainly based on general dynamic presentations, group work, negotiation and simulation of the COP.

At the same time, the other objectives of the workshop were to provide the participants with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the training tool prepared by the CMS Secretariat: The Manual for the National Focal Points of CMS and their instruments.

In addition, a special tribute was given during an evening reception to the conservation of rays and sharks that are at the brink of extinction in order to promote the suggested inclusion of species in the CMS Appendices and to endorse the draft resolution on the conservation of sharks and rays.

The workshop was made possible by funds raised through the ENRTP project (Thematic Programme for Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources including Energy).

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Capacity Building Officer: Francisco Rilla, Email: [email protected]