Assahafa.com
The 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (COP15) officially kicked off on Monday in Campo Grande, on the edge of Brazil’s Pantanal, to promote the protection of migratory wildlife, its habitats, and its migration routes worldwide.
Four months after hosting the climate conference (COP30) in Belém, in the Amazon, Brazil reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development and multilateralism by organizing this new triennial gathering dedicated to biodiversity.
Under the theme “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life,” this meeting brings together governments, experts, scientists, and civil society until March 29 to address issues related to the conservation of migratory species.
Morocco is participating through a delegation from the National Agency for Water and Forests, which has come to showcase the country’s efforts to safeguard endangered species. Among the initiatives presented are the Sahel-Saharan megafauna conservation program, the national strategy for raptors, the expansion of the network of protected areas, and the conservation of wetlands, which serve as important stopover sites for migratory birds.
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa and crossed by one of the world’s major bird migration routes, Morocco hold special regard for this conference, in line with its international commitments to preserving biodiversity and this shared natural heritage.
The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) currently has 133 Parties and covers 1,189 species, the majority of which are birds, but also includes terrestrial and aquatic mammals, fish, and reptiles.
Migratory species play a fundamental role in the balance of ecosystems that support life on the planet, ecologically, economically, and culturally. They perform essential functions, such as transporting nutrients between terrestrial, aquatic, and marine environments, contributing to crop pollination and seed dispersal, and supporting sustainable economic activities such as ecotourism.
However, these species face growing threats. According to data from the Convention, habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation affect nearly 75% of migratory species, while overexploitation impacts approximately 70%.
Throughout the week, negotiations in the “Blue Zone” will focus within the Plenary Committee and thematic groups on the conservation status of migratory species, climate change, ecological connectivity, and the impacts of human activities.
Also on the agenda are the review of action plans for marine species, birds, and terrestrial species, as well as examining proposals to list or reevaluate species in the Convention’s appendices.
Source: map
