TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) commenced on February 12, 2024, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
EXPLANATION:
- It was led by the United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UN-WCMC).
- The summit focuses on urgent actions for the protection and conservation of migratory species.
Terrestrial Species Proposals:
- Eurasian Lynx:
- North Macedonia, along with Uzbekistan, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, proposed the inclusion of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in CMS Appendix II, and its subspecies Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) for Appendix I.
- Guanaco and Pallas’s Cat:
- There are proposals to include guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and Pallas’s cat (Felis manul) in CMS Appendix II.
- Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat:
- African nations including Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and Rwanda, are advocating for the listing of the straw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) under CMS Appendix II.
Migratory Aquatic Species Proposals:
- Hawksbill Turtle:
- Southeast Asia and the western Pacific Ocean region have proposed a single species action plan (SSAP) for the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
- Atlantic Humpback Dolphin and Angelshark:
- SSAP proposals are anticipated for the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuzii) and angelshark (Squatina squatina) in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Amendments to Appendices:
- Proposals for amending the appendices include species like Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin, harbour porpoise, sand tiger shark, blackchin guitarfish, bull ray, Lusitanian cownose ray, gilded catfish, and Laulao catfish or Piramuta.
Migratory Birds and Landbirds:
- Illegal Killing of Birds:
- For the 962 migratory bird species listed in CMS, COP14 will deliberate on draft decisions to address the issue of illegal killing of birds.
- African-Eurasian Landbirds:
- A revised programme of work for the region’s action plan will be discussed during the summit.
Technological Integration:
- Use of Modern Technologies:
- Discussions will encompass proposals related to the use of modern technologies such as satellite imaging, climate models, and interactive bird atlas tools to prioritize and implement actions for species and their habitats.
- African-Eurasian Region Action Plan:
- The event will introduce technological tools for the Action Plan for Migratory Landbirds in the African-Eurasian Region range.
Species-Specific Action Plans:
- Sooty Falcon:
- A Single Species Action Plan (SSAP) for the sooty falcon (Falco concolor) for the period 2024-36 will be introduced.
- Christmas Island Frigatebird:
- A SSAP for the threatened migratory shorebird, Christmas Island frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi), will also be presented.
- Great Bustard:
- A new action plan for the great bustard (Otis tarda) is expected to be tabled for adoption.
Appendix Listings:
- Peruvian Pelican, Magellanic Plover, and Bearded Vulture:
- Proposals for listing species such as Peruvian pelican (Pelecanus thagus), magellanic plover (Pluvianellus socialis), and bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis) in CMS appendices will be discussed.
- Conservation Initiatives:
- Species-specific plans for conservation and regional initiatives, including the Central Asian Mammal Initiative, will be presented.
Conservation Challenges and Urgency:
- Human Activities Impact:
- CMS Executive Secretary emphasized that many species are facing decline due to human activities, with overexploitation emerging as a significant threat.
- Call for Urgent Action:
- Head of UNEP-WCMC’s species program stressed the need for urgent actions to conserve and protect the approximately 1,200 listed CMS species and the additional 3,000 species lacking protections.
Conclusion:
- CMS COP14 brings together diverse proposals and initiatives, highlighting the global commitment to the conservation of migratory species across various ecosystems.
- The urgency emphasized by key stakeholders underscores the critical need for immediate and collaborative efforts to safeguard biodiversity.