AEWA’s Technical Committee to Convene in Israel

Bonn, 11 March 2016 – The 13th Meeting of the AEWA Technical Committee is taking place from 14 to 17 March at the kind invitation of the Government of Israel represented by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, in collaboration with the Israel Ornithological Center of the Society for the Protection of Nature

Israel, which joined AEWA in 2002, is located at the crossing point where the West Asia/East Africa and Black Sea/Mediterranean flyways intersect, making it an important Range State for many iconic species covered by AEWA such as cranes, storks, pelicans and waders.  The country also has 15 Important Bird Areas as identified by BirdLife International covering 456,700 ha.

"The AEWA Technical Committee provides the scientific and technical advice and expertise which is essential for the implementation of the Agreement. The meeting in Israel will be helping to set priorities and guide conservation action for the 254 migratory waterbird species covered by the international treaty for the coming three years," says AEWA Executive Secretary, Jacques Trouvilliez.

This 13th Meeting will be the first time that the scientific and technical advisory body has convened since the 6th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA, which was held in Bonn last November.

On the agenda will be a review of the Technical Committee’s Work Plan 2016-2018 which was approved at the Meeting of the Parties and the meeting will examine and plan the implementation of the tasks assigned to the eight Working Groups:  Field of Application, Species Conservation, Habitat Conservation, Management of Human Activities, Research and Monitoring, Education and Information, Implementation and Strategic, Reporting, Emerging and Other Issues.

As well as taking reports from the Secretariat and regional representatives on the status of implementation of the Agreement, the Committee will also be electing its Chair and Vice-Chair for the period 2016-2018.

Trouvilliez adds "This part of the world is a crucial pathway between north and south – thousands upon thousands of migratory birds pass through here each spring towards their breeding grounds.  These flocks will be an inspiration to all TC members in their efforts to elaborate the most effective conservation measures."

All documents related to the meeting can be accessed here.

Last updated on 24 March 2016

Type: 
News item
Country: 
Israel