Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President for International Policy, presenting about WCS and its work on international conventions to technical committees on international conventions on CMS, CBD and CITES in Mongolia.
Biodiversity conventions are often seen as separate frameworks, each addressing different issues. However, they are very much interconnected and require collective action to achieve meaningful results for biodiversity on a national scale. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia is dedicated to bringing stakeholders together to ensure these agreements work together and achieve measurable outcomes.
On October 16th, 2024, WCS Mongolia hosted a workshop, with support from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which brought together over 25 organizations and various stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of Mongolia’s international conventions. The workshop aimed to facilitate coordination and alignment of national activities regarding the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The event helped built momentum towards working together towards Mongolia's global conservation commitments.
Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President for International Policy, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “To really make a difference in biodiversity conservation, we need to focus on 'coordination, coordination, coordination.' It’s great to see the Mongolian government stepping up and bringing experts together, as we can have lasting impact if we all work together.”
She also pointed out that Mongolia is a member of most international frameworks that guide conservation efforts.
A major topic of discussion was the status of the Mongolian saiga antelope, which is critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Participants explored how they could leverage CITES for practical conservation efforts.
S.Bolortsetseg, WCS Mongolia's Community and Governance Manager, shared, “Many NGOs, academics, and government agencies are involved in saiga conservation. CITES helps us enhance our initiatives on the ground and come together under a shared agenda. It was fantastic to work together and discuss how we can strengthen patrolling efforts, tackle illegal trade, and support the ministry in stockpiling protocols.”
The workshop extended beyond these exchanges; it reached high-level dialogues at the Pre-COP16 meeting attended by Mongolia's president U.Khurelsukh.
Ts.Uranchimeg, Head of Natural Resources Policy and Coordination Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, speaks about the government's efforts to meet commitments of international conventions
Dr. Lieberman represented WCS at this separate event organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, emphasizing that CBD targets should not be viewed in isolation. “The CBD targets specifically address commitments related to CITES and CMS, opening new avenues to tackle complex issues like illegal wildlife trade and migratory species conservation. This alignment shows how these conventions can complement each other effectively,” she highlighted.
As part of WCS Mongolia’s 2030 strategy, we will continue to advocate for unified action in biodiversity conservation. By supporting collaboration among stakeholders under these international agreements, we believe Mongolia is well-positioned to amplify its conservation efforts and set an example for collective action that resonates beyond its borders.
“We believe that this workshop helped ignite a renewed sense of purpose and determination, a vital step towards ensuring that Mongolia's ecological integrity is preserved for both wildlife and people alike,” said Dr. Justine Shanti Alexander, Country Director at WCS Mongolia.