The meeting is jointly organised by the CMS Secretariat and the International Academy for Nature Conservation of the BfN with funding from the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). It is being convened within the framework of the 2020 – 2023 Joint Work Programme between the CMS Secretariat and the BfN under the activity “Identifying Approaches for Mitigating the Effects of Infrastructure Development on Migratory Wildlife.” 

The 13^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP13) adopted Decisions 13.130-13.134 to address the impact of infrastructure on migratory species and their habitats. In accordance with Decision 13.131, the CMS Scientific Council Sessional Committee established a multi-stakeholder Intersessional Working Group (IWG) composed of stakeholders with experience and knowledge on the impact of linear infrastructure development on migratory species and options for mitigation. Decision 13.133 requests the CMS Secretariat to organize at least one meeting of the Working Group to implement the IWGs mandate as given by the Scientific Council in UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC5/Outcome 13.

The meeting of the IWG will also address the implementation of the Guidelines for Addressing the Impact of Linear Infrastructure on Large Migratory Mammals in Central Asia and contribute to the implementation of the CAMI Programme of Work, Measures 3.5 and 3.6.