At the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS COP15), held in Campo Grande, Brazil (23–29 March 2026), IUCN will play a key role in supporting science-based, coordinated global action for migratory species. Convened under the theme “Connecting Nature to sustain life,” COP15 will shape the Convention’s strategic, scientific and institutional direction for the coming decade, with implementation of the Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2024–2032 at its core.
Participating as an observer organization, IUCN will provide technical and scientific expertise to inform decisions, action plans and programmes of work, while strengthening collaboration with the CMS Secretariat, Parties, Range States and partners. IUCN’s engagement promotes alignment with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and stronger synergies across biodiversity-related conventions. Priority issues include fisheries-induced mortality and bycatch, marine pollution, ecological connectivity, illegal and unsustainable take, wildlife health, and emerging pressures such as climate change, deep sea mining, renewable energy, infrastructure and light pollution—alongside species-focused actions across marine, freshwater, avian and terrestrial taxa.
Through policy interventions, expert advice, position paper and side events, IUCN will showcase its global knowledge and network, and advance its Resolutions and Recommendations, helping translate the best available science into effective international conservation outcomes for migratory species worldwide.
