Implementing the CMS Central Asian Mammals Initiative: Lessons and Plans from IUCN’s SOS Central Asia Initiative

Adopted by CMS Parties at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP11), the Central Asian Mammal Initiative (CAMI) presents a common framework to address major threats to the region’s migratory species.

To action CAMI’s programme of work, IUCN implemented SOS Central Asia, a three-year initiative to support conservation of snow leopards (Uncia uncia) and goitered gazelles (Gazella subguterosa) classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.  Supporting projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan from 2019-2022, the Initiative prioritized actions under CMS to engage local government, area managers and communities to maintain and restore key ecological corridors and reduce threats to one of the world’s last remaining migration hotspots. Projects conducted by both international, national and local civil society organisations contributed to regional capacities and knowledge generation, essential for applying appropriate conservation measures. 

The session will explore key learnings from SOS Central Asia and how this initiative has contributed to advance the implementation of CAMI.