UNEP/CMS
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
Conserving Migratory Mammals in Central Asia
23 September 2014
Christiane Röttger
Regional Officer for Central Asia, UNEP/CMS Secretariat
United Nations Environment Programme/ Convention on Migratory Species
CMS – Some facts
• Stockholm 1972 - UN Conference on the Human Environment:
– Establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP)
– Recognition of the special threats faced by migratory species
on their journeys across political boundaries
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of
Wild Animals (CMS) was signed on 23 June 1979 in Bonn
(“the Bonn Convention”) as framework convention for countries
to work together on the conservation of migratory species
throughout their range
Global migrations – global threats
What is a migratory species
• Entire population of
species or geographically
distinct part of species.
• “Significant proportion”
must “cyclically and
predictably” or
“periodically” cross one or
more national
jurisdictional boundaries.
CMS Legal Tools - Species Listing
Appendix I – Endangered Species
Migratory species that have been
categorized as being in danger of
extinction throughout all or a
significant proportion of their range.
Appendix II - Species conserved
through Agreements
Migratory species that have an unfavorable
conservation status or would benefit
significantly from international co-operation
organized by tailored agreements.
Conference of the Parties
Wadden Sea Seals
ACAP EUROBATS ACCOBAMS
ASCOBANS Gorilla AEWA
Legally Binding Aquatic Warbler
Bukhara Deer
Dugong Great Bustard
High Andean
Flamingo
Marine Turtles Africa
IOSEA Mediterranean Monk Seal
Pacific Cetaceans
Raptors Ruddy Headed Goose
Saiga Antelope
Sharks Siberian Crane
Slender-billed
Curlew
West African Aquatic
Mammals
West African Elephants
Grassland Birds of South
America
Central Asian Flyways
Eurasian Aridland
Mammals
Non- Legally Binding
South Andean Huemul
The CMS Family
Argali Sheep
Bukhara deer MoU
• Signed in 2001 by four Range States (KZ, TJ,TK,
UZ), Action Plan agreed in 2001
• 1st Meeting of Signatories in November 2011
recognized Afghanistan as additional range state
Single Species Instruments
Saiga antelope MoU
• Signed by all five Range States in 2006
• Two Meetings of Signatories in 2006 and 2010
• Medium Term International Work Programme
Action Plan for the Conservation of
Argali
• Assessment and workshop in 2012
• Draft Plan presented for adoption at COP11
• Recommendation 9.1 (Central Eurasian Aridland Concerted
Action and Cooperative Action) recognizes the importance
of Central Asia for migratory species, and that it is a crucial area for the action of the Convention
Mammals covered by CMS
Species, CMS Appendix and common name
Uncia uncia I (EN) - Snow leopard
Equus hemionus II (EN) - Asiatic wild ass
Equus kiang II (LC) – Kiang
Camelus bactrianus I (CR) - Bactrian camel
Cervus elaphus yarkandensis I/II (LC) - Bukhara deer
Gazella subgutturosa II (VU) - Goitered gazelle
Procapra gutturosa II (LC) - Mongolian gazelle
Saiga borealis II (EN) - Saiga antelope (Mongolia)
Saiga tatarica II (CR) - Saiga antelope
Bos grunniens I (VU ) – Wild yak
Ovis ammon II - Argali mountain sheep
Threats
Habitat fragmentation & Barriers to Migration
• Planned and constructed large infrastructure projects
(including railroads, mining sites, pipelines, border fences,
roads, etc.) increase rapidly with serious negative effects!
CMS works to ensure maintenance of ecological connectivity
through development of guidelines for “wildlife-friendly” design
of existing and planned infrastructure (workshops in 2013/2014)
Single species activities/MOUs Threats & Conservation Needs
Species designated for Concerted & Cooperative Action
CMS Central Asian Initiative
Coherent framework for coordinated conservation action on migratory mammals in Central Asia
Barriers to migration
Central Asian Mammals Initiative
Photo: Petra Kaczensky
Objectives
• create geographic synergies and cost-effective implementation
of overlapping mandates
• similar stakeholders in different species initiatives: share lessons
learnt between species MOUs
• address common cross-cutting issues and threats (e.g. barriers
to migration, ecological networks, illegal hunting & trade)
• strengthen (transboundary) cooperation and ecological networks
• raise awareness on the importance of the region for migratory
species and migrations
• Great potential to exchange experience and learn from each other (e.g.
Saiga MoU coordination)
Central Asian Mammals Initiative
• Assessment of conservation gaps and needs of
migratory mammals, conservation measures,
stakeholder analysis
• Development of a programme of work as a common
reference outlining key actions to be undertaken by
2020
• Regional Stakeholder Meeting in Bishkek: Programme
of Work + Resolution for COP11, Meeting Declaration
• Presentation to COP11 for adoption: Resolution on the
CAMI to adopt the Programme of Work, Argali AP,
Infrastructure Guidelines
Implementation
Thank you!
