Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 13th Conference of Parties (COP-13) on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) at Gandhinagar on 17 February. The 13th edition is being hosted in India. The conference will be held from 17-22 February 2020. Theme: The theme of COP-13 CMS is “Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home”. The CMS COP 13 logo was inspired by Kolam, a traditional art form from southern India. The Kolam art form in the logo is used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale, and marine turtles. COP-13: The conference will include the Stakeholder Dialogue, High-Level Segment Meeting, and the Champion Night Award Ceremony. Other side events and Working Group meetings will also be held. Several international and national organizations will showcase the best practices in wildlife conservation in the exhibition area. As India is hosting the event, India shall be designated as the Presidency during the intersessional period following the meeting. Participants: Representatives from over 130 countries, conservationists and international NGOs working in the field of wildlife conservation are participating in the conference. India CMS: Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). India has been a signatory to the Convention on CMS since 1983. GoI has been taking the necessary actions to protect and conserve migratory marine species. So far, Seven species that include Dugong, Whale Shark, Marine Turtle (two species), have been identified for the preparation of the Conservation and Recovery Action Plan.
