Connecting landscapes for people and wildlife: CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative

The Joint CITES-CMS African Carnivores Initiative (ACI) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is a commitment and Programme of Work by all Range States of the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, Leopard and Lion to save these threatened apex predators, vital for healthy ecosystem functioning.

Amid the repeated call for stronger collaboration across the environmental multilateral agreements, ACI offers opportunities to collectively tackle key threats to wildlife and connect and restore their landscapes. Having long supported the implementation of national and regional species conservation priorities, IUCN’s Save Our Species Programme is partnering with CMS to mobilize funds and action to implement the ACI programme of work.

Convening presenters from the CMS Secretariat, Range States, CMS parties and IUCN, this session will explore key opportunities for scaling up people-centred landscape conservation approaches for African carnivores across Range States. Participants will discuss opportunities and priorities for delivering community resilience and restoration of habitats for critical species and supporting national and regional efforts and global commitments. Participants will also examine the partnerships and funding mechanisms to truly unlock the technical expertise, policy frameworks, and long-term financing to strengthen conservation outcomes at scale.