The 12^th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is taking place in Manila, the Philippines between 23-28 of October, 2017, where CIC Director General, Tamás Marghescu is representing the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation. In one of his interventions, the Director General issued a statement on behalf of the CIC:

The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), on behalf of more than 30 million registered hunters that it represents, scientists, states, and government agencies, extends its warm greetings to the people and Government of the Philippines and thanks them whole-heartedly for the extraordinary hospitality rendered.

1. The CIC, as an Intergovernmental Observer of the CMS, is a committed partner and implementing organization of CMS decisions, expresses concern over the clarity in responsibilities of the Convention. A number of listing proposals concern non-migratory species under threat. There is a clear need for developing clear, well-developed guidance on how the term “migratory”, as defined in the Convention, should be interpreted, in order to avoid the widespread perception that the CMS is simply listing anything. A ruling of the distinguished CMS Scientific Council – no offense -does not make them migratory. Yes, there is a strong transboundary aspect in connection with some of the listings. Yet is that justification enough? Are these species to be dealt with under CMS at all? Does the Convention need considerable adjustment? Do we need yet another convention? The CIC would like to suggest to the Parties that the proposed review process of the CMS Convention addresses this crucial issue of interpretation.
2. We have serious reservations with some of the listing proposals, as the affected range states and stakeholders—who are crucial in their implementation—have not been sufficiently consulted. There have been concerned voiced that various Parties and Observers of the Convention, in connection with some of the listing proposals, are behaving in a manner which has a “neo-colonial” character. Should we postpone the decisions on these proposals until sufficient consultations and negotiations have taken place with range states and stakeholders?
3. Rather than celebrating an up-listing or listing as a success, we should be mourning these actions and we strongly recommend to concentrate on developing and implementing action and cooperation among Parties rather than on discussing listing proposals which divide us.

Tamás Marghescu re-emphasized the commitment of the CIC to cooperate in the common goal to conserve migratory species, and he added “Each General Assembly of the CIC has a continuous program element on the theme of the conservation of migratory species with a special emphasis on migratory birds. In this context, I would like to thank both the Secretariats of CMS and AEWA for their active participation in our work on migratory species.”

At the end of his speech, the Director General drew the participant’s attention to a large-scale event in the year 2021. “Entrusted by the Hungarian Government, from the 21^st of August to the 22^nd of October, 2021, Hungary will be organizing a large-scale world exhibition titled “One with Nature”. The world will be invited to celebrate the cultural and spiritual heritage as well as merits of conservation through sustainable use. You will be kept informed and updated about this event in the coming years.”