On behalf of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora— or CITES—I am pleased to join you in celebrating World Migratory Bird Day 2025!
I would like to extend my thanks to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals for their essential work to conserve migratory animals, many of which are also CITES-listed and rely on urban-adjacent habitats throughout their life cycles.
And congratulations to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
This year’s theme, Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities, is a timely and important call to action. As urban areas expand, so too must our efforts to make these spaces more liveable—not just for people, but for birds and other wildlife.
For 50 years since its entry into force, CITES has played a unique role in this shared effort. By regulating international trade in species like the Amur falcon, the Lesser flamingo, and the Short-tailed Albatross, CITES helps ensure that wild plants and animals, including migratory birds, not only continue to exist in the wild, but also coexist with us.
We must work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the CITES Strategic Vision for 2030, which reminds us of the importance of scientific data, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation.
We all have a part to play in helping migratory birds adapt and thrive in our changing world.
Thank you, and happy World Migratory Bird Day!