28 September 2014: The Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) concluded the last two of its four regional preparatory workshops for the upcoming eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the CMS. These four workshops, held in Chile, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan and Zimbabwe, were meant to inform National Focal Points (NFPs) on how to best advocate regional interests at COP 11.

The COP 11 Regional Preparatory and Negotiation Workshop for Africa was hosted by Zimbabwe together with the CMS Secretariat and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 21-23 September 2014. More than 40 participants from CMS Parties and non-governmental organizations from the African region attended and discussed the main topics of the COP 11 agenda and learned about COP logistics. Participants expressed support for draft resolutions on wildlife crime, landbirds and flyways as well as management of marine debris. In addition, they advocated the proposed addition of species to Appendices I and II of CMS, especially the Asiatic Lion and other subspecies, the European Roller, sharks and rays. Key documents discussed included: the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015-2023; the proposed budget; synergies within the CMS Family of Secretariats and the draft resolution on climate change and migratory species.

The COP 11 Regional Preparatory and Negotiation Workshop for Central Asia was hosted by Kyrgyzstan along with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from 26-28 September 2014. Participants, who included focal points from range States in Central Asia and one non-governmental organization, reviewed key outputs from the workshop on the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI) as well as regional priorities. They discussed, inter alia, the issues underpinning the resolution on wildlife crime and the Saker Falcon Global Action Plan. They also reviewed three budget proposals.

The African and Central Asian regional workshops followed Regional Preparatory and Negotiation Workshops held in Fiji, 18-20 August 2014 and Chile, 1-13 August 2014. [IISD RS Sources] [COP 11 Regional Preparatory and Negotiation Workshop for Central Asia] [COP 11 Regional Preparatory and Negotiation Workshop for Africa] [CMS News on Africa Workshop] [IISD RS story on Regional Workshops in Chile and Fiji] [IISD RS article on CAMI meeting] [CMS News on Asia Workshop]