Highlights and images for 23 March 2026

On the day commemorating all bears around the world–World Bear Day–the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) opened to the sobering reality of migratory species decline. With 24% of CMS-listed species, among them two types of bear, now considered globally threatened and 49% of CMS species suffering population declines (an increase of 2% and 5% since COP14, respectively), data has been trending in the wrong direction for migratory fauna. The theme of this gathering—“connecting nature to sustain all life”—has never been more urgent or important, especially as geopolitical conflicts further aggravate the threats already hurting migratory species.

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

In her opening remarks, CMS Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel highlighted the interim State of the World’s Migratory Species report, which describes current extinction risks and population declines, and urged delegates to redouble efforts to cooperate across borders to achieve the Convention’s goals. Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil, noted the urgent need for COP outcomes that take decisive steps to ensure migratory species continue flying, swimming, and crossing borders and bridges, for their sake and ours.

As the steady beat of a drum and piped tones filled the plenary, six Indigenous Terena dancers—the Indigenous “guardian people of the Pantanal”—crouched, spun, and flowed across the room in synchronized pairs. The dancers expressed their cultural history in an intricate play of gestures that hinted at the human consequences of biodiversity loss and ecological fragmentation. Following the performance, Indigenous leader Adriane da Silva Soares underscored the threats to the Pantanal, adding that Indigenous Peoples defend it so strongly because they draw strength and spirituality from the Earth.

Keynote speeches honed in on specific fauna. Brazilian scientist Alexandre Zerbini underscored the threats facing whales, which he called “the most iconic migratory species on Earth.” As one in four cetacean species is threatened with extinction, Zerbini emphasized that solutions based on scientific data and tools must be translated into action at scale. “If we succeed, we will show the world that international cooperation can rise to challenges,” he said.

Brazilian biologist Tatiana Neves, in turn, underscored the plight of the albatross, a frequent victim of fisheries bycatch. Neves highlighted possible solutions, such as night fishing, and emphasized international cooperation as key to conserving the albatross and other imperiled species. She expressed hope that COP15 is guided by courage, cooperation, and a “deep sense of purpose.”

In the late morning and afternoon, the plenary considered administrative matters and reports of the Convention’s subsidiary bodies and instruments, convened the Committee of the Whole (CoW), and discussed administration and budgetary matters.

In the evening, the COP15 Champion Night honored new CMS Champions for their heroic efforts to protect migratory species and their habitats.