12 November 2012: The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) convened on 7-8 November 2012, to hear an update on activities undertaken by the CMS Secretariat since the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP 10), held in Bergen, Norway, in November in 2011.

Regional Standing Committee members reported on their conservation activities. South and Central America and the Caribbean noted their activities on albatrosses and petrels, grassland birds, bats, and the South Andean Deer. Norway reported on the Action Plan on the Lesser white-fronted Goose, bats, raptors and a study on bycatch. The EU highlighted its work on the impact of power lines on bats and birds, measures concerning the Aquatic Warbler, and marine mammals in the Baltic and the Black Sea. Asia thanked the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for its support for argali conservation activities. Oceania highlighted the Pacific Cetaceans and Sharks Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). Africa discussed initiatives concerning Sahelo-Sahara Antelopes.

Fernando Spina, Chair of the Scientific Council, highlighted CMS’ possible contribution to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

The Standing Committee recognized the need for more funds to support the activities mandated by COP 10 and the MoUs serviced by the Secretariat, and approved the extension of contracts of two Junior Professional Officers (the Associate Information Officer and the Central Asia Regional Officer) for another year.

Finally, the Secretariat reported on conservation activities of its seven Agreements and 14 MoUs, with the conservation plan for sharks, the establishment of the Saker Falcon Task Force and activities to conserve Central Eurasian arid land mammals receiving particular attention. CMS Officer in Charge Bert Lenten noted that with the development of a new Strategic Plan for migratory species, CMS and its instruments would reach a higher level of prominence with more conservation activities and more support from the Parties. [CMS Press Release] [CMS Standing Committee Meeting Website]