Event overview
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Bird of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MOU) is an agreement established under the auspices of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) that aims to maintain a favourable conservation status for birds of prey and to prevent or reverse population declines across the MOU geographical scope. It provides a framework, through its Article 12, for developing national or regional strategies and species action plans, and for coordinating transboundary conservation efforts.
In Central Asia, little is known about the status and demographics of raptors. Threats such as illegal taking, electrocution, and collision with energy infrastructure, and intentional and unintentional poisoning are widespread, and the impact of these threats is not reliably assessed.
In February 2024, the governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Uzbekistan signed the Raptors MOU, marking a milestone in the protection of birds of prey in the region. Meanwhile, NGOs and experts in all Central Asia Republics, including the Republics of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have joined their neighbours, taking part in regional efforts for the protection of key species, opening the door for the development of coordinated action across borders built on the guidelines set by key documents such as the Saker Falcon Global Action Plan (SakerGAP), Vultures Multi-species Action Plan (Vulture MSAP) and the Steppe Eagle Global Action Plan (SEGAP).
This momentum has the potential to benefit and contribute to a larger movement towards coordination and action under the Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway (ICAF), led by the Government of India and adopted by the Parties to the CMS at COP14 in Samarkand in 2024.
The seminar is also aligned with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2025–2040 (not yet endorsed), which prioritizes ecosystem conservation and restoration, strengthening ecological connectivity, and expanding protected areas in line with the global “30 by 30” target. Relevance is given to ecological corridors, migratory species conservation and transboundary cooperation. These priorities are closely aligned with global frameworks, including the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and UNDP’s Nature Promise (Nature Pledge), which supports countries in achieving ambitious biodiversity targets through integrated and cross-sectoral approaches.