Governments convened in Campo Grande, Brazil, for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), making bold and unprecedented commitments to safeguard migratory birds. From March 23 to 29, 2026, delegates forged a new marine flyway framework and significantly strengthened protections for seabirds, raptors, and shorebirds, marking a pivotal moment for global biodiversity conservation amidst escalating environmental pressures. The outcomes of COP15 are seen as crucial steps towards fulfilling the ambitious targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
Setting the Stage: The Urgency of Migratory Species Conservation
Migratory species, including birds, are indispensable indicators of planetary health, connecting diverse ecosystems across continents and oceans. Their epic journeys underscore the interconnectedness of our world, yet these very migrations also expose the severe pressures nature is enduring. With species populations in decline globally and the window for achieving critical biodiversity targets rapidly closing, the CMS COP15 was held against a backdrop of increasing urgency. The Convention on Migratory Species, often referred to as the Bonn Convention, stands as the sole global treaty dedicated exclusively to the conservation of migratory species and their habitats. It provides a vital international legal framework for coordinated action, enabling governments to transcend national borders in their conservation efforts.
The meeting in Campo Grande brought together governments, scientific experts, and conservation organizations like the BirdLife Partnership, which fielded a strong delegation of 38 delegates, including representatives from 19 national Partners. Their collective expertise and advocacy were instrumental in shaping the conference’s ambitious agenda and achieving meaningful conservation outcomes. The overarching goal was to translate international commitments into tangible actions, supporting nations in protecting species, restoring vital habitats, and maintaining the ecological connectivity essential for the survival of migratory populations. The recent interim "State of the World’s Migratory Species" report, published just prior to COP15, served as a stark reminder of the worsening situation since COP14 two years prior, highlighting that a growing proportion of CMS-listed species are experiencing population declines, thereby amplifying the imperative for decisive action.
A Breakthrough for Ocean Conservation: The Marine Flyways Framework
One of the most significant and historic achievements of COP15 was the formal recognition of marine flyways for the first time. For generations, global conservation frameworks predominantly focused on terrestrial and coastal flyways, leaving a notable gap in the protection of species traversing vast oceanic expanses. This landmark decision provides an essential structural framework for countries and diverse stakeholders to coordinate conservation priorities, mobilize critical financial resources, and deliver impactful actions across marine environments. Scientists and conservationists alike have lauded this development as one of the most substantial advances in ocean conservation in recent memory.
The newly established marine flyways framework extends its benefits far beyond seabirds, encompassing a wide array of migratory marine megafauna, including whales, sharks, and turtles. Given that seabirds are powerful bio-indicators of marine ecosystem health, this resolution is poised to play a critical role in assisting governments in achieving global ocean targets, particularly those outlined under the recently adopted Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty. The synergy between these international instruments creates a more holistic and robust approach to marine protection.
Reinforcing these efforts, COP15 also saw the listing of several key seabird species on the CMS Appendices. Gadfly petrels, a diverse group of oceanic birds, and the Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes), a species facing significant threats across its migratory range, were added. Concurrently, concerted actions for the Flesh-footed Shearwater and the critically endangered Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) were adopted, developed with significant input from the BirdLife Partnership. These listings and action plans are designed to trigger enhanced international cooperation and focused conservation interventions for these vulnerable marine voyagers.
Nina Mikander, Global Director of Policy and Business at BirdLife International, underscored the collaborative spirit, stating, "Protecting migratory species takes more than a village. It was great to see the global conservation community come together at COP15 and take historic decisions for migratory birds across flyways. This is the kind of leadership we need now more than ever." This sentiment reflects the consensus that effective conservation requires concerted, cross-border efforts.
A New Dawn for the Americas: The CMS Initiative for the Americas Flyways
Beyond marine environments, COP15 marked a pivotal moment for migratory species conservation across the Americas. Governments unanimously agreed to establish the CMS Initiative for the Americas Flyways, a dedicated mechanism designed to facilitate the implementation of the comprehensive Americas Flyways Framework and its associated Action Plan. This represents a substantial governance milestone, as for the first time, the Americas Flyways will have a formal, institutionalized instrument to drive coordinated, cross-border conservation action.
The groundwork for this initiative was meticulously laid at the Third Meeting of the CMS Americas Flyways Task Force, held immediately prior to COP15. The BirdLife Partnership, in collaboration with the National Audubon Society, played an active and supportive role in these preparatory discussions, committing to offer continued assistance to governments over the next three years to operationalize this crucial initiative. The Americas are home to an extraordinary diversity of migratory birds, facing threats ranging from habitat loss and climate change to illegal hunting and pesticide use. This new initiative provides a much-needed platform for addressing these complex challenges through regional collaboration and shared responsibility.
Ana Agreda, Conservation Project Coordinator at Aves y Conservación, BirdLife Partner in Ecuador, emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach: "We must unite efforts with governments to ensure the effective conservation of migratory birds. By joining forces between governments and NGOs, we secure the habitats that migratory birds depend on." This highlights the critical role of civil society organizations in supporting governmental efforts and ensuring conservation strategies are both effective and locally relevant.
Strengthening the Safeguards for Raptors: Guardians of the Skies
COP15 delivered substantial progress in the conservation of raptors, majestic birds of prey that play crucial ecological roles as apex predators. Parties agreed to establish Internationally Important Raptor Areas worldwide, identifying and protecting key sites that are vital for these species during breeding, migration, and wintering. Furthermore, the iconic Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), an arctic resident facing threats from climate change impacting its habitat and prey, was listed on Appendix II of the CMS, indicating its unfavorable conservation status and the need for international cooperation for its management.
A new Action Plan for the critically endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) was also adopted, meticulously prepared by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), a BirdLife Partner. This plan outlines specific measures to address the numerous threats facing this species, including electrocution, poisoning, and habitat degradation across its vast migratory range.
Looking ahead, governments committed to developing a multi-species Action Plan for Vultures in the Americas by COP16 in 2029. This initiative is strategically modelled on the highly successful African-Eurasian Vulture Action Plan, which has demonstrated the efficacy of coordinated regional efforts in reversing the catastrophic declines of vulture populations. In a particularly crucial move, COP15 significantly strengthened the CMS mandate on restricting the veterinary use of Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that are highly toxic to vultures and other raptors. Workshops were agreed upon to support governments in implementing these critical measures, drawing lessons from the devastating impact of diclofenac on vulture populations in South Asia. This proactive stance is essential for preventing similar ecological crises in other regions.
A Step Forward for Shorebirds: Protecting Coastal and Wetland Wanderers
Shorebirds, known for their incredible long-distance migrations across coastal and wetland habitats, also received enhanced protections at COP15. Three species of the Americas flyways – the Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), the Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica), and the Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) – were added to CMS Appendix I. This designation signifies the highest level of protection under the Convention, reserved for migratory species that are endangered, meaning their conservation status requires immediate and stringent measures from all Range States. The listing on Appendix I mandates Parties to strictly protect these species, conserve their habitats, mitigate threats, and cooperate internationally for their recovery.
The Conference also noted the adoption by the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) Action Plan. This critically endangered species, with an estimated global population of fewer than 500 mature individuals, faces immense pressure from habitat loss and degradation along its migratory route. The development of this action plan, with significant input from the BirdLife team, is a testament to the urgent need for targeted interventions for species teetering on the brink of extinction. The enhanced focus on shorebirds at COP15 highlights the global commitment to preserving these vulnerable wetland ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Aligning Renewable Energy Development with Migratory Species Conservation
As the world rapidly transitions towards renewable energy sources, there is growing recognition that poorly planned infrastructure can pose significant, often unforeseen, risks to migratory species. Wind farms, solar installations, power lines, and associated infrastructure can lead to habitat fragmentation, direct mortality through collisions, and disruption of migratory routes. Addressing this crucial cross-cutting theme, the BirdLife Partnership played a central role at COP15 through its coordination of the CMS Energy Task Force (ETF).
The ETF serves as a critical platform for fostering dialogue and developing best practices to ensure that renewable energy expansion is aligned with migratory species conservation goals. During COP15, the Government of Brazil demonstrated exemplary leadership by actively inviting countries from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean to engage with the Task Force. This outreach sparked increased interest from multiple Parties and stakeholders in joining and contributing to the ETF, reinforcing its growing role as a key international platform. The ETF’s work is vital in promoting a "smart by design" approach to energy infrastructure, ensuring that ecological considerations are integrated from the initial planning stages to minimize negative impacts on migratory wildlife while still achieving global climate and energy targets.
The Road Ahead: Implementation is the Ultimate Test
The resolutions and decisions adopted at CMS COP15 represent a significant stride forward in the global effort to protect migratory species. However, as the conference concluded, the unanimous sentiment among conservationists was clear: the real test now lies in their effective implementation. Migratory species are more than just a conservation concern; they serve as a powerful measure of humanity’s success in delivering on broader biodiversity commitments. The CMS is the primary international treaty supporting governments in meeting their obligations regarding species conservation, ecological connectivity, and sustainable use under the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
Yet, with the 2030 targets of the KMGBF fast approaching, the latest interim "State of the World’s Migratory Species" report delivers a stark warning: the situation has worsened even since COP14, indicating that most governments are not on track to meet their commitments. COP15 has provided a robust suite of concrete, practical tools that governments can leverage to accelerate progress towards their KMGBF commitments. These include the new marine flyways framework, dedicated regional initiatives, species-specific action plans, and strengthened mandates to address critical threats like harmful veterinary drugs and poorly planned infrastructure.
The BirdLife Partnership, alongside its global network of national partners, has affirmed its commitment to closely monitor the implementation of these resolutions, decisions, and action plans agreed upon in Campo Grande. They will continue to advocate and push for urgent, sustained action from governments and all stakeholders. The trajectory of migratory species populations can still be reversed, but only if the international community responds with the level of urgency and collaboration that the scientific evidence unequivocally demands. The legacy of COP15 will ultimately be defined by the actions taken in the years to come, translating aspirations into tangible conservation successes for the world’s magnificent migratory birds.