2023/001: Request to Confirm and Submit New Cases on Initiatives Related to Community Involvement in Conservation

In accordance with CMS Decision 13.119, the CMS Secretariat was directed to "identify ongoing initiatives and best practice case studies and prepare a compilation of case studies and initiatives related to community involvement in the conservation and management of CMS-listed species that include a focus on the particular challenges of migratory species, including factors such as land rights, management responsibilities, authority over distribution of benefits by communities, spiritual values and cooperation among communities along migratory pathways to promote community connectivity and prepare a standard template to be used by Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for submission of new cases". 

In line with Decision 13.119, the Secretariat prepared the attached standard template, which compiles cases with projects successfully involving local communities concerning a few terrestrial, aquatic, and avian species.  

We request you to confirm the validity of the compiled data for the species occurring in your territory.

Additionally, we invite all Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to submit other successful cases of community-based conservation, using the template attached.

Based on all collected/received cases, and in line with Decision 13.119, the Secretariat will prepare a report, which will then be submitted to the 6th meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council and COP14. 

Parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are encouraged to submit their case studies no later than 28th February 2023.

Please do not hesitate to contact Marc Attallah at [email protected] in case of questions on this matter.