Bonn, Germany – March 27, 2025 — The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) took part in the 56th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), held in Bonn from 25–27 March 2025.
Represented by Alexandra Kalandarishvili, Senior Policy Coordinator, the CIC monitored key agenda items, particularly discussions concerning Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), sustainable livelihoods, and the risks posed to CMS Appendix I-listed species by direct use and trade.
The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is the only global multilateral environmental agreement focused entirely on the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. Its relevance to the CIC and the wider hunting and conservation community lies in the shared interest of safeguarding migratory species through science-based, sustainable management. The CIC contributes technical expertise to CMS and its associated agreements, such as AEWA, promoting the role that regulated hunting can play in species recovery, rural development, and long-term habitat stewardship.
Engagement with CMS ensures that the voices of those living alongside and managing migratory species — including hunters, landowners, and IP & LCs — are heard at the international level.
The Bonn meeting focused on the development of the Programme of Work for the intersessional period between COP15 and COP16. Two International Single Species Action Plans were formally adopted: one for the Sooty Falcon (2024–2036), and another for West African Vultures (2023–2043). These plans reflect a growing emphasis on collaborative, long-term conservation efforts across species ranges.
It was also confirmed that the 16th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP16) will take place in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 23 to 29 March 2026.
The CIC remains committed to supporting science-based, community-inclusive policy that reflects the importance of sustainable use and the role of IP & LCs in global biodiversity frameworks.
Media Contact:
Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
