The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) was signed in 1979 in response to the growing concerns about the damage that an increasingly interconnected world was doing to migratory species. Migratory species must cross international boundaries quite often to hunt, nest, and stay warm. Therefore, even if one state along the migratory path protects these species, they may still face extinction if any single state along their path actively destroys their habitats. Global action is needed to protect global species. The CMS coordinates the creation of conservation agreements and treaties focused on individual species or threatened ecosystems. Previous treaties have been vital to the protection of beloved species like flamingos, gorillas, sea turtles, and whales. Often, there is an intense focus on how to best preserve the habitats that these species rely on. Flamingos in the Andes are particularly vulnerable to the destruction of delicate wetland environments, and many birds that migrate across the Sahara Desert are threatened by growing desertification. Delegates in this committee will be challenged to find new ways to protect animals and their habitats against the growing demands of a global, interconnected economy.

The Kenya-Tanzania border hosts one of Africa’s most iconic elephant populations, the Loxodonta Africana. These elephants are key to the biodiversity and culture of the region. Known for their tusks and unique social structures, they migrate seasonally between Kenya’s Amboseli National Park and Tanzania, relying on this environment for water and food. However, their migratory routes expose them to significant dangers, particularly from ivory poachers. Organized crime plays a crucial role in illegal ivory trafficking, using networks to smuggle ivory and other wildlife products across borders. Despite international efforts to curb the ivory trade, poaching has persisted, leading to a decline in the elephant population. The loss of key male and female elephants (matriarchs and tuskers) disrupts elephant families, hindering their ability to thrive in their environment. Additionally, the expansion of agriculture and human settlements around the Kenya-Tanzania border fragments elephant habitats, restricting their migratory movements. The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) must implement measures to strengthen anti-poaching efforts and improve intelligence-sharing among countries to prevent the extinction of African elephants.

The Amazon river dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin, is the largest species of river dolphin. It is found throughout much of the Amazon and river basins in South America. Since the 20th century, there has been a sharp decline in the population of this species. This can be attributed to dam construction, overfishing, and illegal fishing practices. Habitat degradation and fragmentation disrupt the natural behaviors and breeding patterns of river dolphins, while pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and mercury contamination affects their health and reproductive success. Increased human activities along rivers, such as overfishing and deforestation, further stress river dolphin populations. These cumulative threats have led to a decline in river dolphin populations across the Amazon River basin, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative conservation efforts to mitigate these impacts and ensure the survival of these aquatic mammals. Delegates of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) must collaborate with local communities and researchers to confront the many threats facing river dolphins and their environments. They must also balance the competing interests of governments and private corporations that inhibit conservation efforts. This challenging task must be acted upon urgently to prevent this unique dolphin from becoming extinct.