Convention on Migratory Species

16/10/2026

How do we know where marine turtles need protection? 🐢

From satellite tracking and genetic analysis to nesting surveys and decades of monitoring, science is revealing how turtles move across oceans, where populations are recovering or declining, and which threats require targeted action.

For 25 years, the IOSEA Marine Turtle MOU has helped turn this growing body of knowledge into coordinated conservation action across borders. Our latest article explores how the MOU’s Advisory Committee and wider scientific community help ensure scientific evidence guides conservation priorities for these great ocean travellers.

Read the article: https://iosea-turtles.cms.int/news/following-evidence-science-foundation-conservation-action

15/10/2026

Migratory birds cross borders, continents and oceans, relying on a network of habitats along the way. Protecting them therefore depends on countries working together across entire flyways. 🐦🌍

In a new video for BirdLife International's series, CMS Avian Team Head Iván Ramírez explains how international cooperation, shared science and coordinated action can help safeguard migratory birds throughout their journeys.

He also looks at how better tracking, modelling and new technologies are improving our understanding of migration, and why careful planning is essential to ensure infrastructure and the energy transition work for both climate and nature.

▶️ Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAaa1wEkzdE

14/10/2026

CMS is heading to Yerevan for ! From 19–30 October, governments and partners will come together for the first global review of progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The CMS Secretariat will be contributing to over 13 side events and sessions across the conference, bringing the needs of migratory species into discussions on:

🌿 Ecological connectivity and habitat restoration
🛣️ Animal movement data and sustainable infrastructure
🌊 Ocean and marine biodiversity
🩺 Biodiversity, health and One Health
🤝 Cooperation across environmental agreements
🐾 Species recovery, translocations and animal culture
🌡️ Climate-resilient protected areas
🌳 Forest governance and environmental law

Protecting migratory species requires action across borders, ecosystems and sectors. Implementing CMS commitments can also make an important contribution towards achieving the global biodiversity targets.

Explore CMS activities and side events: https://www.cms.int/eventcalendar/cms-un-biodiversity-conference-cbd-cop17

13/10/2026

Sometimes, sea turtle conservation starts with a lesson on the beach. 🐢🌊

This , two stories from Egypt and India show how learning in the field can inspire people to become turtle protectors. This week’s collection also includes a special 25th anniversary video message from IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU Advisory Committee member Nicolas Pilcher.

• Along Egypt’s Red Sea coast, a researcher, two University of Sussex interns and two diving instructors from the Marsa Shagra Village Dive Center are collaborating with Turtle Watch - Egypt 2.0 to monitor and protect sea turtles.

• In Chennai, India, Arun V. is preparing for his 30th season of turtle walks. He recalls finding his first nest and reflects on how the Student's Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN), Chennai grew from a group of teenagers into a partnership with the Forest Department.

• In a special video message from Sabah, Malaysia, Nicolas Pilcher looks back at the MoU’s roots in the Sabah Declaration and ahead to its next 25 years.

Discover the two stories and watch the special video message on the anniversary Story Map: https://iosea-turtles.cms.int/25th-anniversary

11/10/2026

LIVE NOW! 🎥🚨

This week, international experts gathered to advance the Atlas of Animal Migration, a global initiative under CMS that aims to bring together knowledge on where migratory animals travel, the places they depend on and the routes that connect them.

Tune in right now to the live public session "Migratory animals connect the planet: the wonder of their journeys, and threats for their future" followed by a special choir presentation by the Coro dell'Accademia di Pescara to commemorate , from 14:30 to 18:00 CEST.

Tune in on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH_Y8-0cOz0

Learn more about the workshop: https://www.cms.int/meeting/cms-workshop-atlas-animal-migration

📺 Today’s session live includes:

• Fernando Spina and Vasto, Italy representatives: Introduction (only in Italian)

• Dagmar Zíková: Connecting the planet

• Franz Bairlein: The fascination of bird
migration

• Ana Sequeira: Great Ocean migrations - tracking marine giants to protect our oceans

• Francesca Cagnacci: Footsteps, hooves,
roads, and trails - ungulate migration in
changing landscapes

• Martin Wikelski: The Internet of animals - a new Earth observation system

• Des Thompson: Coping with a warming
world - challenges for migratory animals

• Maurizio Odicino: BIO Cantina di Orsogna for the conservation of biodiversity - birds as indicators of a sustainable agriculture

• Giacomo Assandri: BIO Cantina di Orsogna for the conservation of biodiversity - dragonfly wings and irrigation of water quality

• 18.30 - 19.30: World Migratory Bird Day celebration concert by Coro dell'Accademia di Pescara with Maestro Pasquale Veleno

10/10/2026

Shared observations, brought together through digital platforms and community science initiatives, are helping inform migratory bird conservation across borders and entire flyways.

On , CMS Executive Secretary Andy Raine reminds us why every observation counts.

Visit www.WorldMigratoryBirdDay.org to learn how you can get involved in citizen or community science.

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

Happy ! 🐦🌍

Today, people around the world are celebrating the extraordinary journeys of migratory birds, which connect countries and continents along their flyways – and highlighting the urgent need to conserve them.

This year's theme, " – Your Observations Matter!", recognises the vital role of citizen science in migratory bird conservation. Every sighting that is recorded, whether from a garden, a park, a wetland or a coastline, helps scientists and conservationists track population trends, understand migration patterns and identify the sites birds depend on. Together, millions of individual observations build the knowledge needed to inform conservation action and policy.

So today, step outside and do something ! 🔭 Take a walk, observe the birds around you and record what you see on a citizen science platform, such as eBird or iNaturalist.

But first, let's play: tap & hold the video to pause it. ⏸️ Which ambassador bird did you land on? Tell us in the comments! 👇

🔗 Learn more about and the ambassador birds: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

08/10/2026

World Migratory Bird Day is this Saturday, 10 October! 🐦🌍

This year’s theme, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!”, is all about how your observations can help us better understand and protect migratory birds.

What you see and record can help scientists track population changes, understand migration routes, identify important habitats and detect emerging threats. And you don’t need to be an expert to get involved. 🔭📱

This Saturday, get outside, look up and join people around the world celebrating migratory birds.

Learn more and find out how to take part: https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/

07/10/2026

From sea turtles crossing entire ocean basins to birds flying thousands of kilometres and antelope herds moving across vast grasslands, animal migrations connect ecosystems across the planet. 🐢🐦🦌

This week, from 9-11 October, international experts are gathering in Vasto, Italy, to advance the Atlas of Animal Migration, a global initiative under CMS that aims to bring together knowledge on where migratory animals travel, the places they depend on and the routes that connect them.

The workshop will conclude with a public session on Sunday, 11 October, from 14:30 to 18:00 CEST, featuring some of the world’s most remarkable animal migrations and the technologies helping scientists understand them with unprecedented precision. 🗺️

Learn more about the workshop: https://www.cms.int/meeting/cms-workshop-atlas-animal-migration

📺 Tune in live on Sunday on the CMS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/