Russia and Nigeria on Monday, October 30, 2017 signed an agreement on construction and operation of a nuclear power plant as well as a multipurpose nuclear research centre in Nigeria, Russia’s Rosatom state nuclear corporation said.
A nuclear facility in India. Photo credit: Julie Jacobson/AP
The agreement, as well as a “road map” on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technologies, were signed on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi.
“The feasibility studies for the Nuclear Power Plant project and the Research Centre construction will include site screening.
“Others are the determination of key parameters of implementation, including; capacity, equipment lists, time frames and stages of implementation, as well as financing schemes,” Rosatom said in a statement.
NAN reports that on May 31, 2016, Nigeria signed another MoU, with the government of Russian Federation, on cooperation in construction of centre for nuclear science and technology in the country
The MOU, was signed between representatives of the two countries, Mr Sergey Kirienko, Director Russian Rosatom State Corporation and Dr Erepano Osaisai, Chairman/Chief Executive, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, was part of the high points of Nigeria’s participation in the ongoing 2016 ATOM Expo, in Moscow, Russia.
International Forum, ATOM EXPO is the largest exhibition and business venue for meetings and negotiations of the world leaders in nuclear energy.
Immediately after signing the MOU, Dr Osaisai said that Nigeria’s intention to acquire nuclear technology followed the realisation that nuclear energy contributes quite a chunk of global electricity.
He noted that Nigeria, with its huge population, could not afford to miss out in the current trend.
He also admitted that the project would come with a huge cost but added that the cost of not having clean energy and adequate electricity would be higher for those who failed to join the fray. Osaisai said: “Nuclear acquisition has come to stay. It is well known that it contributes quite a chunk of global electricity.
“Although Nigeria does have other sources of energy, but this is about a balanced and diversified energy basket. Nuclear happens to be the one we considered.
“The preference is because it is environmentally friendly and leads to a better conservation of other resources.”
Nigeria was first in Africa to establish a research reactor when, in 2004, it enabled a Chinese-origin research reactor at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The country is also reportedly seeking collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop plans for up to 4,000 MW of nuclear capacity by 2027.
Chimpanzees – which share some 99 per cent of their DNA with us – are in trouble, despite national protection efforts across Africa, says the world-renowned conservationist Ian Redmond.
Chimpanzees. Photo credit: wired.com
“Although our zoological next of kin with the widest distribution of any ape apart from ourselves, they are an endangered species. Most are declining in number – victims of habitat loss and poaching – and have been extirpated in at least three, possibly five other countries,” he said.
Redmond, Ambassador to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), who made the submission in the Philippines while participating in the 12th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the CMS, which held in Manila from October 23 to 27, 2017, agreed to list chimpanzees on both its Appendices to offer them much-needed trans-border protection.
“Long-term research sites in several countries have revealed that chimpanzee communities utilise territories from 7 km2 to 32 km2 in forests and up to 65 km2 in savannah habitat, and that the males often defend their territory by going on a boundary patrol. They also appear able to hold a mental map of their local area, and be able to predict when fruit trees come into season.
“Consider then, the matrix of chimpanzee territories that stretches across what is left of Africa’s forest belt, then superimpose the political map of national boundaries. In a few places, where political borders follow rivers or mountain ranges, the human territories might match those of chimpanzees, but mostly the lines we draw through contiguous forest result in chimpanzees moving back and forth across national boundaries. And this can have consequences if the level of protection is different on either side.”
It is for this reason that chimpanzees, although not normally considered migratory, are in critical need of joined-up conservation measures – and where the CMS can step in, Redmond said. “Listing on the Appendices of CMS does not just mean adding the species’ name on a piece of paper. It provides stronger legal protection and a framework for collaborative action ranging from joint anti-poacher patrols to higher penalties when wildlife criminals end up in court.”
It is illegal to hunt chimpanzees in all the 21 Range States, and by definition hunting them is poaching whether inside or outside a protected area. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies and the support of many donor countries, NGOs and IGOs, hunting still presents a serious threat and is responsible for many of the reported declines – in some countries.
Conversion of forest into farmland, the growth of extractive industries, an increase in major transportation infrastructure – regarded as key to Africa’s development – are all cited by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as impacting the chimpanzee’s habitat. They also suffer from a range of tropical diseases, further threatening the species.
Humans benefit from chimpanzees in many ways: People want to see them in the wild and ecotourism provides much-needed income for local communities. Apes are also among the most important seed dispersal agents in African forests.
“Given the importance of forests for climate stability, protecting them is in our own interest – we need to ensure the next generation of trees,” Redmond concluded.
Global efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB) have saved an estimated 53 million lives since 2000 and reduced the TB mortality rate by 37%, according to the “Global TB Report 2017”, released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday, October 30, 2017.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Photo credit: FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Despite these achievements, the latest picture is said to be grim. TB remains the top infectious killer in 2016. TB is also the main cause of deaths related to antimicrobial resistance and the leading killer of people with HIV. Progress in most countries is stalling and is not fast enough to reach global targets or close persistent gaps in TB care and prevention.
“While the world has committed to ending the TB epidemic by 2030, actions and investments don’t match the political rhetoric. We need a dynamic, global, multisectoral approach,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “The good news is that we finally have two great opportunities to move forward: the first WHO Global Ministerial Conference to End TB in Moscow in 2017, followed by the first UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on TB in 2018. These will build momentum, get different sectors engaged, and accelerate our efforts to make TB history.”
High global burden of disease and death in 2016
In 2016, there were an estimated 10.4 million new TB cases worldwide, 10% of which were people living with HIV. Seven countries accounted for 64% of the total burden, with India bearing the brunt, followed by Indonesia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria and South Africa. An estimated 1.7 million people died from TB, including nearly 400 000 people who were co-infected with HIV. This is a drop by 4% compared to 2015.
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. WHO estimates that there were 600 000 new cases with resistance to rifampicin – the most effective first-line drug, of which 490 000 had MDR-TB. Almost half of these cases were in India, China and the Russian Federation.
“The sheer numbers of deaths and suffering speak for themselves – we are not accelerating fast enough,” said Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of the WHO Global TB Programme. “Prompt action towards universal health coverage and social protection, as well as breakthroughs in research and innovations – will be critical to enable access to patient-centered care of the highest standards for all, especially the poorest, most disadvantaged people everywhere.”
Persistent gaps in care and financing
Tackling the epidemic requires action to close gaps in care and financing. It also requires progress in a particular subset of high TB burden countries (1).
Underreporting and underdiagnosis of TB cases continues to be a challenge, especially in countries with large unregulated private sectors and weak health systems. Of the estimated 10.4 million new cases, only 6.3 million were detected and officially notified in 2016, leaving a gap of 4.1 million. India, Indonesia and Nigeria accounted for almost half of this global gap.
Only one in five MDR-TB cases were started on treatment. India and China accounted for 39% of the global gap. Treatment success remains low, at 54% globally.
Of the almost half a million reported cases of HIV-associated TB, 15% were not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) as recommended by WHO. Most of the gaps related to HIV-associated TB were in the WHO African Region.
TB preventive treatment is expanding in two priority risk groups – people living with HIV and children under five years. However, most people eligible for TB preventive treatment are not accessing it.
For TB care and prevention, investments in low- and middle-income countries fall almost $2.3 billion short of the $9.2 billion needed in 2017. In addition, at least an extra $1.2 billion per year is required to accelerate the development of new vaccines, diagnostics, and medicines.
“Shortfalls in TB funding are one of the main reasons why progress is not fast enough to be on track to reach the end TB targets,” said Dr Katherine Floyd, Coordinator of WHO’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit at the Global TB Programme. “We have a double challenge. More domestic funding is needed in middle-income countries, and more international donor support is needed to support low-income countries”.
Political commitment and multisectoral action
Ending the TB epidemic requires action beyond the health sector to address the risk factors and determinants of the disease. For the first time the Global TB Reportpresents results from a new multisectoral monitoring framework that identifies linkages with the TB epidemic across seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analysis of the latest status of the indicators for the 30 high TB burden countries show that most will be challenged to reach SDG targets.
In order to increase multisectoral action, plans to galvanise all sectors and secure attention at the highest levels have resulted in the WHO Global Ministerial Conference on Ending TB in the Sustainable Development Era, in Moscow, November 16 to 17, 2017. This will be followed by the very first UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on TB in 2018, which will seek commitment from heads of state.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Kjemprud Jens-Petter, says Nigeria imports fishery products worth $125 million (N45 billion) from his country annually.
Kjemprud Jens-Petter
Jens-Petter told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, October 30, 2017 that the fishery imports from Norway included stock fish, mackerel and salmon.
“Annually, Norwegian fish exports to Nigeria stand at $125 million and these include
stock fish, pelagic fish, mainly mackerel and salmon.
“We are interested in expanding our market access and consider the upper market salmon to have further potential.
“Ideally we believe it would be possible to double our exports considering the huge Nigerian market and the current recovery of the Nigerian economy,’’ he said.
He said that the Nigerian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (NNCC) was working with his embassy to attract Norwegian investment and cooperation for the development of Nigeria’s fishery industry.
The Norwegian envoy said that his home government, through its organisation, Innovation Norway, was prepared to support and share technical expertise with Nigerian fishing companies in boosting local fish production.
He said that the Norwegian government was also interested in the development and exportation of Nigerian seafood to Norway.
Jens-Petter said that NNCC and Norwegian fish exporters and aquaculture companies have exchanged visits on how Nigeria could also achieve bumper fish production locally.
A former Military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said that Nigeria loses $13.7 billion annually as a result of farmers-herdsmen conflicts in Benue, Kaduna, Nassarawa and Plateau states.
Abdulsalami Abubakar
Abubakar made the disclosure at a forum organised by Search for Common Ground, Nigeria, in collaboration with Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development.
The forum, with the theme, Amplifying the Expertise of African Peace-building Practitioners and Scholars, was organised for farmers and herdsmen at Maizube Farm in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State on Monday, October 30, 2017.
It aims to increase knowledge sharing on farmers-herdsmen conflicts by peace-building scholars and practitioners and policy makers in Nigeria and globally.
The organiser is an international non-profit organisation that promotes peaceful resolution of conflicts with offices in Washington and Brussels.
Abubakar said 62,000 people were displaced in Kaduna, Benue and Plateau states between January, 2015 and February, 2016 in farmers-herdsmen conflicts.
He said 2,500 people died nationwide in farmers and herdsmen conflicts.
He commended the organisation for initiating the forum with a view to building synergy between the academia and practitioners as well as to generate evidence for policy-making on farmers and herdsmen conflicts in Nigeria.
Abubakar said the initiative would further reduce farmers and herdsmen conflicts in Nigeria through a holistic interrogation of issues critical to resolving the conflicts in Nigeria and Africa.
He added that the initiative would enhance and boost relationships that had existed between the two interdependent groups and reduce the impacts of the conflicts on the affected communities.
“Farmers and herdsmen conflicts have become a threat to peace, security and development of our nation.
‘’This meeting is coming at a critical time when farmers and herders conflicts have become an issue of global concern.’’
Abubakar said the worry had heightened ‘’with the recent crisis in Plateau, Benue and other states that have led to loss of lives, properties, displacement of persons and families, untold hardships to communities and individuals affected.
“These deadly conflicts are expanding gradually to other states and the current situation is threatening the fragile peace and security of the nation.”
Abubakar called on the forum and other relevant stakeholders to come up with suggestions, including the roles of government, civil society, the media, traditional rulers, community and professional, in addressing the conflicts.
He advised stakeholders to strengthen the capacities of organisations working with farmers and herdsmen, women, communities and youths in addressing their needs.
Mrs Bukola Ademola, Conflict Analyst, Search for Common Ground, Nigeria, attributed farmers and herdsmen conflicts in Nigeria to unequal access to land and resources between farmers and herdsmen.
She said livelihood was a factor that directly pitted farmers and herdsmen against each other in competition for resources to sustain crops and animals.
According to her, addressing this protracted and often violent conflict requires a new way of doing things and building synergy between peace-building practitioners and researchers.
“There should be strengthening of the quality of the evidence collected through practice and increase the dissemination of practitioner knowledge toward policy institution,” she said.
The Sokoto State Government says it is expanding the Sanitation Hygiene And Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project in the state to cover seven local government areas.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State
Alhaji Sidi Abbas, Executive Director, Sokoto State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, October30, 2017 in Sokoto that the expansion was because of the impact of the project on the people’s lives.
“Tangaza Local Government Area (LGA) was the initial council area selected in Sokoto State by UNICEF and state government for the SHAWN project.
“The impact of the hygiene and sanitation activities on the lives of people in Tangaza has prompted the extension of the project to Bodinga, Tureta, Dange-Shuni, Tambuwal, Silame, Binji and Gada LGAs.
“The government also plans to further extend the project to cover all the 23 LGAs in the state.’’
Abbas said that under the project, 10 blocks of 60 toilets, latrines and hand-washing compartments were rehabilitated in five selected primary schools in Tangaza, Tureta and Bodinga LGAs.
He said that a total of 35 primary schools, 14 health centres and 70 communities were expected to benefit from SHAWN activities across the state before the end of 2017.
He said that over 1,980 hygiene promoters, mostly women, in Tangaza LGA alone had been trained, as part of efforts to establish sanitation committees to enable the communities to take ownership of the facilities.
“The Environmental Hygiene Clubs and Community Committees are aimed at preventing the facilities from breaking down frequently.
“The committees will also enable the communities to take ownership of these facilities,’’ he said.
He said that 120 communities in Tangaza LGA had been certified as being Open Defecation-Free (ODF) under the project.
“About 120 communities were earlier screened as being Open Defecation (OD) communities under the project, which was executed in eight wards of the council area.
“We conducted a census of schools, health facilities and Community Management on Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Centres and we discovered the incidence of water-borne diseases associated with poor environmental hygiene.
“However, with the intervention, the figure reduced to between five and 10 persons from between 300 and 200 residents who visited the health facilities,’’ he said.
Besides, Abbas said that seven solar-powered boreholes as well as nine motorised and electricity-powered boreholes had been reactivated.
“This is in addition to 30 hand pump boreholes. Some wells were also covered and disinfected in the communities and at present, not less than 79,930 residents have access to improved sanitation facilities in Tangaza LGA.
“Also, 168,417 persons now live in ODF communities, while 49,008 persons now have access to safe drinking water in the area,’’ he said.
The executive director said that hygiene promoters were engaged in 100 communities to promote comprehensive hygiene practices, including hand washing, separate toilets, kitchens and living rooms.
He said that the people had also been sensitised to the need to cover all their water containers while transporting water for domestic use, adding that they were also educated on how to use cups and utensils.
“These processes have resulted in the communities attaining the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) status,’’ he added.
The Sokoto State Government said it had started the process of connecting a number of rural households with solar power to deepen energy usage and enhance rural electrification in the state.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State
Alhaji Bashir Gidado, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Public Private Partnership (PPP), made the disclosure at a news conference in Sokoto on Sunday, October 29, 2017.
Gidado said the project was a partnership between the state government and Nigeria Energy Support Project (NESP), GIZ of Germany and GoSolar.
He added that a pilot scheme had already started in Kurdula, a rural settlement in Balle town in Gudu Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that “this is an off grid mini solar project and the idea is to provide solar power to rural communities that are not covered by the national grid using solar energy which we have in abundance in Sokoto State.
“Kurdula is a rural settlement in Balle and was chosen as location for the pilot scheme after series of deliberations by partners and local stakeholders.
“So far, GIZ has completed the installation of the distribution network, while the next phase, which is generation network, will be provided by GoSolar.”
The governor’s aide added that the state government had provided land for the project, while payment of compensation as approved by Gov. Tambuwal was being processed.
Gidado said all generation equipment had already arrived the country and expected in Sokoto “any moment from now
“On the whole, the targeted population will be provided with clean energy for domestic use and minor commercial uses at very affordable rates,” he said.
He noted that the project was being coordinated by a State Working Group, with
membership drawn from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the office of
Sexretary to State Government.
“We hope to officially unveil the project in the next three months,” Gidado said.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to prevail on the Benue State Government to extend the implementation of its Anti-Open Grazing law scheduled to take effect from Nov. 1, 2017.
Herdsmen grazing their cattle
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, October 29, 2017 in Makurdi, the National Coordinator of the association, Alhaji Garus Gololo, said the extension of the implementation time would enable both the government and herders resolve some grey areas in the law.
He, however, did not disclose the duration of the extension needed.
Gololo regretted that the law had placed certain responsibilities on the part of herders which were difficult to fulfill within the timeframe provided for its implementation.
“For instance, we are expected to ranch our cattle, but a typical ranch involves the construction of schools for the children of the nomads, a veterinary clinic, borehole for its water supply, electricity and adequate space for the cattle to graze within the ranch.
“At the moment, what the government has promised is only the pivot ranches where all arrested cattle would be kept for a time after which it would be sold.”
According to him, since it is difficult to buy land from the villagers, government should construct ranches and rent them to herdsmen.
“They can build the ranches and give them to our members on rent since it is not possible to get land from the indigenes. We will rent them from the government and keep our cattle there.”
He said it would not be in the interest of all for the Fulani’s to leave the state in anger and called on the federal government to intervene to save the state from further crises.
He, however, stated that the herdsmen were set to migrate to Nasarawa, Taraba and Niger states if all entreaties for extension of the implementation time for the law failed.
Gololo, accused Gov. Samuel Ortom’s Security Adviser, retired Col. Edwin Jando, of masterminding the anti open grazing law as a move to chase out the Fulani’s from the state.
“We (MACBAN) have no confidence in Col. Jando. He does not want us and our cattle in Benue and we are leaving. I have written a petition to the governor against Jando,” Gololo said.
Responding to the accusations by Gololo, Jando said nobody wanted the Fulani’s out of the state.
Jando explained that the herdsmen were carried along in all processes leading to the enactment of the law, therefore, it was not correct for MACBAN to claim that the law was against them and sought to flush them out of the state.
He said the import of the law was to protect livestock owners by criminalising cattle rustling.
“Apart from providing a permanent solution to incessant clashes between farmers and herders, it protects livestock owners by criminalising cattle rustling.
“The extensive sensitisation and advocacy of this law has made the MACBAN who were initially apprehensive to now support it.
“In view of the above facts, it is not true that Fulanis are not wanted in Benue,” he explained.
President of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Charlie Brown, was on Yaoundé, Cameroon from October 26 to 27, working with Kuepouo Gilbert, leader of the CREPD, a non-governmental organisation. The World Alliance and CREPD are partnering in a campaign to bring mercury-free dentistry to Cameroon.
Charlie Brown, President of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry
CREPD organised a mini-conference on the evening of October 27, where dentists and dental leaders; environmental NGOs from the political capital Yaoundé, the economic Douala, and the Far North region; and government officials gathered to discuss the “how” and the “when” for the transition to mercury-free dentistry.
“Dentists and consumers are both ready for mercury-free dentistry for Cameroun, and we can be the first nation in Africa to take this pro-public health action,” said Kuepouo. “We ask manufacturers to recognise that Africa wants an ample supply of the non-polluting alternatives that are plentifully available elsewhere.”
Brown was critical of Western interests, who he said have one standard for themselves and a different one for Africa.
“The do-gooder dentists from the West who come to place mercury fillings should stay out of Cameroun, and the medical interests should stop ‘donating’ mercury-laden products such as amalgam to Africa. The manufacturers need to shift their focus to mercury-free dental materials, and stop selling what the West doesn’t want in Africa.”
“That anyone would think they are doing good works by dumping a toxic product into Africa is unconscionable,” Brown added, who is in Nigeria to continue the campaign.
World governments attending this year’s largest wildlife summit have collectively endorsed actions on the conservation of a wide range of migratory species, many of which are near-extinct.
Driven by habitat loss, civil unrest and illegal hunting, the global giraffe population has plummeted by up to 40% over the last 30 years, and the species has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. For the first time, the Giraffe will receive protection under an international treaty with a listing on CMS Appendix II
The week-long CMS COP12 ended in Manila on Saturday, October 28, 2017 with decisions on 34 species in submissions made by 24 Parties from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and Oceania. These include actions on Africa’s great carnivores, 10 species of vulture, and the endangered Whale Shark, known as the butanding in the Philippines.
“The Conference in Manila has been a real game changer for the Convention. An intensive week of negotiations have resulted in a stronger commitment by countries to step up their efforts to conserve the planet’s migratory wildlife. Thanks to the collective efforts of all, the Convention now has a compliance review mechanism and has adopted species that test the boundaries of international wildlife conservation,” said Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary of CMS.
Governments also agreed to cooperate on reducing the negative impacts of marine debris, noise pollution, renewable energy and climate change on migratory species.
The Twelfth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP12) took place in Manila, the Philippines from October 23 to 28, 2017 under the theme “Their Future is Our Future – Sustainable Development for Wildlife & People”.
“The theme of this Conference has also contributed to a growing global recognition of the importance of nature to our human well-being and the multiple connections between wildlife and people. It has helped to convey the message that the future of migratory wildlife is integral to our own future and that we all have the responsibility to act. Agreements made at CMS COP12 have firmly underlined this important message,” said Chambers.
“Migratory animals play a critical role in our planet’s ecosystem. They act as pollinators, control pests and are a source of food and income. They are also an inspiration for people here in the Philippines and all around the world,” said Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and national focal point of the Philippines to CMS.
The CMS COP12 in Manila has been the largest-ever meeting in the 38-year history of the Convention, which is also known as the “Bonn Convention” after the German city in which it was signed.
COP12 saw some notable outcomes, including:
All fish proposals being endorsed, which means three species of shark and three species of ray will receive greater protection with the Whale Shark on Appendix I and the Angelshark being listed on both Appendices. The Dusky Shark, the Blue Shark, the Common Guitarfish and the White-spotted Wedgefish are listed on Appendix II.
All avian species proposals have also been approved for addition to CMS Appendices. On Appendix I are the Steppe Eagle; four species of Asian Vulture, five Sub-Saharan Vulture Species, the Lappet-faced Vulture and the Christmas Frigatebird. A subspecies of the Black Noddy, the Yellow Bunting and the Lesser and Great Grey Shrike are now listed on Appendix II.
For the first time, the Giraffe will receive protection under an international treaty with a listing on CMS Appendix II. Although populations in many Southern African countries are thriving, they are in overall decline across Africa with less than 90,000 animals remaining in the wild.
The Leopard and Lion will also be listed on CMS Appendix II, paving the way for a joint initiative on protecting Africa’s great carnivores. The African Carnivores Initiative will become a focal point for the implementation of resolutions and decisions on lions, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs under CMS and CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
The Chimpanzee is now listed on both CMS Appendices. Humans’ closest relative is facing a 50 per cent drop in numbers over three generations and rapid habitat loss, especially in the western and eastern parts of its historic range.
The near-extinct Gobi Bear is included on Appendix I. Only 45 individuals of the Gobi subspecies of the Brown Bear remain in the wild, shared between Mongolia and China.
The Caspian Seal is included on both CMS Appendices. It is the only marine mammal found in the world’s largest inland sea, where its migration is prompted by ice formation and foraging.
Other mammals that will benefit from the additional protection include the African Wild Ass – the most endangered wild equid in the world, Przewalski’s Horse and four species of Lasiurus Bat. The proposal to add the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) was withdrawn.
Unusually for a CMS COP, consensus was not reached on four species proposals, which went to a vote. Listing of the Chimpanzee, Giraffe, Leopard and Lion was approved by a wide majority at the Committee stage.
In total,12 mammals were afforded greater protection under CMS, 16 birds and six species of fish. Listing on Appendix I requires governments of Parties to protect the species while Appendix II calls for international cooperation to ensure that the conservation status of a species is favourable.
Other successes, which will benefit many of the newly-listed species include:
Consensus on a new intergovernmental task force to curb the illegal killing of birds crossing the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, which spans 22 countries;
A Conservation Roadmap for the critically endangered African Wild Ass, with fewer than 70 animals remaining in the wild;
A Vulture Multi-Species Action Plan to better protect 15 species of Old World Vulture in more than 120 countries;
CMS guidelines on assessing impacts of marine noise activities;
Expanding the Convention’s work on preventing the poisoning of birds with a particular focus on the effects of lead; and
Action on aquatic wild meat, which is fast becoming a conservation problem on a scale similar to that of terrestrial bushmeat.
CMS COP12 also saw five new Migratory Species Champions – commended for their outstanding commitment and long-term conservation efforts. These were:
The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi – recognised for the Conservation of Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia for the period 2015-2019 and the conservation of Dugongs and their Habitats for the period 2015-2019;
The European Commission – for its efforts in addressing Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the Mediterranean in 2018-2020;
The Government of Federal Republic of Germany – for Reconciling Energy Sector Developments with Migratory Species Conservation in 2018-2020;
The Principality of Monaco – for its commitment to Marine Species Conservation 2018-2020; and
The Government of the Philippines for its efforts to protect the Whale Shark.
Government ministers, representatives of civil society and chief officers of international organisations met on the eve of the summit for a High-Level panel discussion on the importance of protecting migratory wildlife in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. The resulting Manila Declaration on Sustainable Development and Migratory Species, which emphasises the links between the conservation of wildlife and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals was unanimously adopted by Parties.
A number of celebrities made appearances at the Conference and gave passionate pleas for wildlife conservation, including UN Environment Global Goodwill Ambassador Yann Arthus-Bertand and Nadya Yuti Hutagalung as well as Philippine journalists and celebrities such as Rico Hizon, Cathy Untalan-Vital and Antoinette Taus.
Addressing the Plenary of COP12 on Wednesday, Erik Solheim, Executive Director of UN Environment, noted that the Sustainable Development Goals were directed at both “people” and “planet”. He added that new technologies and political commitment could protect both the planet and bring development to people with the same policies.
“We will put in place the necessary national measures to integrate the conservation and protection of migratory wildlife species into our development planning processes and we will engage all sectors of society in crafting these measures,” said Ms. Lim with reference to the decisions adopted at CMS COP12.
Dr. Chambers concluded: “This COP has broken all records as the biggest COP in the history of CMS, with the highest number of attendees from Parties, non-Parties and NGOs, with a record number of proposals accepted. Our hosts here in the Philippines have contributed greatly to this success. We look forward to working closely with Parties over the next few years to expand our role as the preeminent guardian of migratory animals across the world.”
“We can protect only those species within our territory. Beyond our territory, we urge other countries to also initiate measures to protect these species and to join the Convention,” said Ms. Lim.
Changes to the CMS Appendices, Resolutions and Decisions enter into force 90 days after the COP.
CMS COP12 attracted over 1,000 participants, including 234 delegates from 91 Parties as well as 35 from non-Parties representing every region of the world. It marked the first time the summit had been held in Asia.
