Whose Future Is Our Future?

The twelfth meeting of Conference of Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species heralded new landmarks in linking science and policy, while suggesting fresh strategies to implement biodiversity-related multilateral environmental agreements.

- Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati

In an unprecedented demonstration of successful multilateralism to save life on Earth, Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Wild Animals (CMS) met in Manila, Philippines between 23-28 October 2017 during the twelfth meeting of Conference of Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS-COP 12) and adopted several landmark decisions to save migratory species.

Being the first COP to be held in Asia since the establishment of the Convention, COP 12 of the CMS Family (comprising a range of Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements on specific species and regional collaborations), the COP listed 34 species to be listed in the Annex I of the CMS. As reported by the analyses of the COP. It is not clear whether we are to celebrate such large numbers to be included in the list for enhanced protection, indicating failure on the part of several countries to save the species or should we mourn ineffective actions to save species.

Guided by the theme “Their Future is Our Future: Sustainable Development for Wildlife and People,” the CMS COP witnessed the participation of over 1,000 participants, including from 91 parties and many non-parties, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (IGOs and NGOs) during the sessions held between 22-28 October 2017.