CMS COP15 Warns of Declining Migratory Species, Adopts New Conservation Measures
Environment
Ulaanbaatar, April 7, 2026 /MONTSAME/. The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15) was held in Campo Grande, Brazil.
More
than 100 countries, along with international organizations, researchers, and
civil society representatives, participated in the conference, setting future
directions for global policy and cooperation on the conservation of migratory
species. The meeting reviewed the status of migratory wildlife, noting that 49
percent of species are in decline and 24 percent face the risk of extinction.
However, it also highlighted positive progress in the conservation of the Saiga antelope, achieved through international
cooperation.
Over
50 resolutions were adopted at COP15, and more than 40 species, subspecies, and
populations were newly listed under the Convention. A new initiative, the
“Global Initiative on the Taking of Migratory Species,” was also launched to
combat illegal hunting and exploitation of migratory species.
During the conference, Mongolian representatives were appointed to key roles within the Convention’s Scientific Council. Dr. Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar, senior scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society, was selected as the Asian regional representative to the Council’s Standing Committee, while Dr. Nandintsetseg Dejid of Germany’s Senckenberg Society for Nature Research was appointed Councillor for terrestrial mammals.
Mongolia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the conservation of migratory species by actively participating in international initiatives, including the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI), the Saker Falcon Global Action Plan, conservation programs for steppe eagle and great bustard, migratory bird flyway partnerships, and transboundary protected areas. Mongolia further aims to expand cooperation with international organizations to reduce the adverse impacts of infrastructure, strengthen research and monitoring, and promote data-driven policymaking.
The
conference underscored the importance of establishing ecological corridors,
protecting connectivity areas, strengthening international cooperation, and
promoting science-based decision-making, while aligning implementation of the
Convention with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework.
