The Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP13) is to be taken place from February 17 to 22 at Gandhinagar, India. China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) will attend the Conference as an observer.

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), based in Bonn, Germany, came into force in 1979. The mission is to provide an international platform of policymaking and science for the conservation of migratory wildlife around the planet. It has 130 Parties, including 129 countries and the European Union. According to the Convention, Appendix I lists migratory species which are endangered, and Appendix II incorporates migratory species which have an unfavorable conservation status and which require international agreements for their conservation and management, as well as those which have a conservation status which would significantly benefit from the international co-operation that could be achieved by an international agreement. The COP13 will amend the Appendices with granting protection of additional species and incorporate the importance of ecological connectivity into its global conservation efforts. According to the official website, the first Migratory Species Status Report will be presented to governments at COP13, and proposals for concerted actions as priority conservation measures for selected species will be adopted. Moreover, for the first time, light pollution will be on the agenda of a CMS COP.

The side event entitled People’s Participation Approach: A Bottom-Up Approach Towards Migratory Species Conservation applied by CBCGDF is approved. In collaboration with Operation Earth and TERRE Policy Center, CBCGDF is preparing for the event, with the incentive of sharing referential experience from civil society on conserving migratory species. Mr. Ai Yakang, President of Bird Biodiversity Conservation Institute of CBCGDF, will share his insights on bird protection. He has immersed in public-spirited activities. He has taken photos for nearly 3,000 species of birds in dozens of countries and regions in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe. In 2019, he initiated the 6.17 World Bird Lovers Festival as he wishes to draw people’s attention in protecting wild birds and eco-environment and conveys good Chinese stories on ecological protection through his camera.

Stay tuned for more information on CBCGDF social media platforms.

(Photo credit: CMS)

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)

By / Wang Yanqing