Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) and Wetland Management

Abstract

Migratory species, including waterbirds, cetaceans and turtles, face many challenges as they cross national borders. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals – or as it is more commonly referred to as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention – is an environmental treaty that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. The Convention was signed in 1979 entered into force in 1983. Since this date, the Convention’s membership has grown steadily, and in 2015 it includes over 100 parties from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. CMS is the only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats, and migration routes.