The Conference of the Parties to the Migratory Species Convention (the CMS CoP) opens today here in Gandhiagar in India.
We are welcomed by dancers and music and the traditional lighting of a lamp.
Then a video film illustrates the many beautiful birds and other animal species found in India.
In terms of participants this is the largest every gathering at a CMS CoP - some 2,700 people have registered.
The deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Environment Programme is among those greeting us. She knows that India will bring first class leadership - she quotes Rachel Carlsson - we know what extinction sounds like - 'it sounds like silence'. Two million species are threatened out of eight thousand, she adds.
The recently appointed executive secretary of CMS, says that she feels like she had now come home - she is where she was meant to be and she makes a tribute to her predecessor Bradnee Chambers who very sadly died in office last year. She notes that this meeting is one of several key international meetings this year that address conservation. She asks if ten or twenty listing proposals each three years (when the CoP meets) is even keeping pace with the challenges facing migratory species....
Three of India's ministers also address the CoP. They list some of the species found in India - which include the whale shark and humpback whale. One adds that the planet can only be saved by having people take part in conservation actions voluntarily. Don't make regulations that are unrealistic he asks.
Finally, the prime minister of India addresses the meeting. He notes that India has some 2.4% of world's land area and 8% of known biodiversity. Conservation of wildlife and habitats has long been part of the cultural heritage of India. Conservation of wildlife has been inspired by Gandhi. India's forest cover has increased significantly - 61.5% of the country is forested and this is increasing. The tiger population is also growing and he calls on neighbouring countries to work together in tiger conservation. He also notes that India hosts 60% of the world's Asian elephants. He speaks of other species and then of pollution - single use plastics are also a challenge!. Then he speaks of the need to work on trans-boundary issues. [Please note that I am only 'sampling' the speeches here - these are not direct quotes and I would be happy to correct and amend.]
India has also produced a memorial stamp series which is shown to the CoP. It features the CMS logo and images of key Indian species, including bustrard and humpback whale.
Later in the session, a clearly emotional John Scalon, until recently the Secretary General of CITES, presented a tribute to his friend Bradnee Chambers, the previous executive secretary of CMS who died last year. More about Bradnee HERE.
Later in the day - the COP works its way through various reports from its subsidiary bodies including its scientific committee and daughter agreements.
We are welcomed by dancers and music and the traditional lighting of a lamp.
 |
| Dancers fill the screen at the front of the huge conference room in the opening session |
Then a video film illustrates the many beautiful birds and other animal species found in India.
In terms of participants this is the largest every gathering at a CMS CoP - some 2,700 people have registered.
The deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Environment Programme is among those greeting us. She knows that India will bring first class leadership - she quotes Rachel Carlsson - we know what extinction sounds like - 'it sounds like silence'. Two million species are threatened out of eight thousand, she adds.
 |
| The three Indian ministers light the lamp |
The recently appointed executive secretary of CMS, says that she feels like she had now come home - she is where she was meant to be and she makes a tribute to her predecessor Bradnee Chambers who very sadly died in office last year. She notes that this meeting is one of several key international meetings this year that address conservation. She asks if ten or twenty listing proposals each three years (when the CoP meets) is even keeping pace with the challenges facing migratory species....
Three of India's ministers also address the CoP. They list some of the species found in India - which include the whale shark and humpback whale. One adds that the planet can only be saved by having people take part in conservation actions voluntarily. Don't make regulations that are unrealistic he asks.
Finally, the prime minister of India addresses the meeting. He notes that India has some 2.4% of world's land area and 8% of known biodiversity. Conservation of wildlife and habitats has long been part of the cultural heritage of India. Conservation of wildlife has been inspired by Gandhi. India's forest cover has increased significantly - 61.5% of the country is forested and this is increasing. The tiger population is also growing and he calls on neighbouring countries to work together in tiger conservation. He also notes that India hosts 60% of the world's Asian elephants. He speaks of other species and then of pollution - single use plastics are also a challenge!. Then he speaks of the need to work on trans-boundary issues. [Please note that I am only 'sampling' the speeches here - these are not direct quotes and I would be happy to correct and amend.]
India has also produced a memorial stamp series which is shown to the CoP. It features the CMS logo and images of key Indian species, including bustrard and humpback whale.
Later in the session, a clearly emotional John Scalon, until recently the Secretary General of CITES, presented a tribute to his friend Bradnee Chambers, the previous executive secretary of CMS who died last year. More about Bradnee HERE.
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| The UK addresses the CoP - the first time the UK has spoken at a big international meeting since it left the EU. Lead delegate Jamie Rendell lists the UK's activities for nature conservation. |
Later in the day - the COP works its way through various reports from its subsidiary bodies including its scientific committee and daughter agreements.
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