According to a report published by the United Nations Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP WCMC), 24% of migratory wildlife is currently at risk of extinction, with a notable 49% experiencing a drop in population. This marks a 2% increase in extinction risk and a 5% decrease in population numbers compared to two years ago. The report highlights a significant decline in species such as the migratory sandpiper and African raptors, stressing the urgent need for habitat conservation.

The '2026 Global Status Report on Migratory Wildlife,' which includes these findings, was released on December 5 in advance of the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2024. This report, which serves as the first of its kind since the 14th COP, details species conservation status and trends necessary for international decisions. It is also set to be presented again at the 15th COP in Campo Grande, Brazil, scheduled for later this month.

Established in 1979 and operational since 1983, the Convention aims to protect billions of migratory aquatic, avian, and terrestrial species worldwide. It is currently supported by 132 countries, including South Korea, and the European Union. The Convention lists threatened species in its Annexes I and II for management, with Annex I including species at risk of extinction and Annex II comprising those requiring cooperation for effective conservation. Recent analyses indicated that a significant number of the listed species, especially migratory birds like the sandpiper, are facing increased ecological threats, underscoring the need for immediate conservation actions.