Ecological Connectivity: A cross-cutting solution for achieving multiple environmental and socio-economic priorities

The important role of ecological connectivity, as defined by CMS as “the unimpeded movement of species, connection of habitats without hindrance and the flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth”, is being increasingly recognized at national and international levels. For example, CMS’s CMS Resolution 14.16 Ecological Connectivity, UNCCD’s COP15 “Land, Life and Legacy” Declaration, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s Goal A, Target 1, 2, 3 and 12, and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Strategic Plan (2025-2034) Goal 3. Reinforcing the overall theme of CMS/CoP-15 “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life” and co-organized with IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group (CCSG), this event will highlight ecological connectivity as an essential foundation for achieving multiple environmental, social, and economic priorities that are supported by well-functioning ecosystems and the services they provide.

Multiple countries will contribute to the event highlighting how connectivity - through its critical role in supporting healthy ecosystems - not only benefits nature, but also people by improving food and water security, increasing climate change resilience, and enhancing human well-being. It will further highlight how ecological connectivity serves as a powerful tool in leveraging transboundary and cross-sectoral cooperation.  Overall, participants will gain insights into the importance of collective and coherent action in scaling up ecological connectivity around the world through multistakeholder platforms especially the now fully operational Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC) that was launched at CMS/CoP-14.