Vilm workshops on transboundary cooperation and conservation of the Asiatic Wild Ass

The workshop series kicked off 26-29 June with a technical workshop within the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI). The aim of the workshop was to support the Range States in the development of an International Single Species Action Plan for the Asiatic Wild Ass covering all Range States as well as national action plans. Against this background, the participants reviewed the status and distribution of the Asiatic Wild Ass, discussed aspects of re-introduction, habitat fragmentation and mitigation measures and identified main threats and actions needed.

In the following workshop on 30 June the participants focused on the „Transboundary Conservation Hotspots for the Central Asian Mammals Initiative (CAMI)“. After the introduction of the study, some ongoing transboundary conservation initiatives were presented, including the activities of the Succow Foundation in Ustyurt within the EcoAral project of GIZ. Building on this, participants explored synergies and opportunities for cooperation, in particular with respect to supporting CMS Parties in implementing the Convention. Working groups then developed recommendations for follow-up activities to promote the conservation of selected transboundary wildlife hotspots, which were incorporated into the study.

The workshops were attended by about 15 representatives of political institutions of CMS Parties as well as experts from various environmental organizations.  

The workshops were jointly organised by the CMS Secretariat and the International Academy for Nature Conservation (INA) of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) with funding from the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). 

The event was a further step in preparation for the upcoming CMS Conference of Parties, which will take place in October 2023 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan).