Representatives from a number of Central Asian countries have endorsed the Central Asian Mammals Initiative that identifies priority transboundary conservation regions important for conserving seventeen iconic mammal species of the region.
About Central Asian Mammals Initiative
History

• Launch: CAMI was established in 2014 at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) of the CMS in Quito, Ecuador.
• Revision: The initiative and its Program of Work were updated at COP13 in Gandhinagar, India, in 2020. This revision expanded its scope and aligned it with broader global biodiversity goals.
• Recent Activity: In October 2025, Central Asian nations endorsed a new six-year Work Programme (2025–2031) to strengthen conservation efforts. 

Goals and features

• Preserve migratory connectivity: The initiative works to protect and restore ecological corridors that are critical for the survival of migratory and nomadic species.
• Combat major threats: CAMI seeks to address key threats to wildlife, including:
  • Illegal hunting and poaching
  • Habitat fragmentation from infrastructure development
  • Climate change impacts
  • Competition with livestock

• Promote regional cooperation: The framework emphasizes collaboration through joint conservation and monitoring efforts, data sharing, and harmonized policy actions among participating countries.
• Encourage ecosystem-level management: Rather than focusing on individual species, CAMI promotes managing entire ecosystems to better support diverse wildlife populations.
• Engage multiple stakeholders: Participants in the initiative include governments, international organizations like IUCN, NGOs, and local communities.

What is the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species?

• It is also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme. 
• It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. 
• It was signed in Bonn, Germany, on 23 June 1979.
• It is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organisation established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
• Activities by CMS Parties may range from legally binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments, such as Memoranda of Understanding.
• The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention.

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