Based on an ancient Sanskrit saying, the theme Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home’ will guide the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP13) in Gandhinagar, a planned city in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
Some 1,500 representatives of national governments, international organizations, scientists, conservation groups and other wildlife experts together with the associated meetings of the Standing Committee will discuss the topic from February 15 to 22, 2020.
The theme highlights the need for governments and stakeholders across the world to provide a hospitable place for migratory animals. It also underscores the urgency of protecting natural habitats which migratory species rely upon as part of their movements, throughout their life cycles and migration ranges.
CMS COP13 comes at a crucial time for migratory species. The UN global assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services, released earlier this year, documented the dramatic decline of biodiversity in all parts of the world and concluded that without increased action, over 1 million species could face extinction in our lifetimes. COP13 will also provide important inputs to the negotiations of a new global framework on biodiversity which will be adopted at the end of 2020 in China.
CMS Acting Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel said: Migratory species play a vital, role for ecosystems around the world. CMS species include some of the most iconic species on the planet, including elephants, whales and dolphins, raptors and songbirds. The recent UN global assessment tells us that we must step up our actions to address the threats to migratory species and biodiversity more broadly. COP13 will be an important meeting to advance our collective efforts to meet this challenge.
According to the CMS Secretariat, the COP13 will consider adding new species to the CMS Appendices to provide them with better protection.
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