2026/016: Addressing Illegal and/or Unsustainable Taking of Migratory Species: Strategic Needs Assessment Questionnaire

At its Fifteenth Meeting (COP15), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) established the Global Initiative on Taking of Migratory Species (GTI) to strengthen international cooperation in addressing the illegal and/or unsustainable taking of migratory species. Through Decision 15.195 (a), the Secretariat was requested to develop a more integrated approach to effectively support Parties in addressing pressures from illegal and/or unsustainable taking of migratory species. To support this work, the Secretariat is undertaking a Strategic Needs Assessment. This questionnaire in Annex I forms part of that Assessment and builds on: 

• the Review of Cross-cutting Aspects (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.28.1/Annex 1), which identifies opportunities to better coordinate existing CMS initiatives, work programmes, action plans and guidance related to illegal and unsustainable taking;  

• the GTI Scoping Analysis (UNEP/CMS/COP15/Doc.28.1/Annex 2), which reviews the current understanding of the scale and drivers of illegal and unsustainable taking, existing measures, examples of good practice and priority capacity needs, and identifies recommendations for a more comprehensive assessment; and  

• existing information contained in CMS National Reports, published literature, previous assessments and expert knowledge. 

Responses to this questionnaire will contribute to the Strategic Needs Assessment, which aims to: 

• identify priority migratory species, geographic areas and implementation needs; 

• assess the scale, trends, drivers and impacts of illegal and/or unsustainable taking, with particular attention to domestic drivers and responses; 

• identify strengths, gaps and implementation challenges in existing national legislation, policies and institutional frameworks; 

• identify priorities for technical assistance, capacity-building and international cooperation; 

• inform the development of national and regional strategies and other implementation tools under the GTI; and 

• inform priorities for the GTI intersessional work programme. 

The Secretariat kindly invites Parties to complete and return the questionnaire in Annex I by October 30, 2026. Parties are encouraged to consult relevant national authorities, scientific institutions and other stakeholders, as appropriate, in preparing their response.

Completed questionnaires, and any queries regarding this Notification, should be sent to the CMS Secretariat at [email protected].