In the geographic region of AEWA I believe that most humans, if not all, have an interest in birds and the remarkable lives and migrations they lead. Birdsongs are part of every human childhood memory. Sadly the famous book ‘Silent Spring’ is today as relevant as ever and we therefore need to increase our efforts to look at how we in our daily activities can be sustainable and how we can restore habitats. Otherwise, we face the possibility that generations will grow up without the intimate relationship to the most famous species group in the world, because their populations are much depleted.

To protect birds we need international cooperation, we need to transfer our best knowledge and wise use of habitats that the birds need. In the end this is the same as saying that this is taking care of our environment to the benefit of all humans. This and many other things are at the core of AEWA activities. I am afraid that we have no time to lose, and I for one wish to see much more targeted activities and many more bold initiatives both with regard to Parties’ compliance to AEWA and other MEAs, as well as enabling AEWA to make full use of the mechanisms that the Agreement offers.
 

"To protect birds we need international cooperation, we need to transfer our best knowledge and wise use of habitats that the birds need."

We also need to change the heads of the politicians in every country: nature must be better protected – both legally and in how we use natural resources. This is not to say that development at the cost of our environment shall cease, it means that we must always take into consideration sustainability when we conduct activities that threaten biodiversity. Destruction of biodiversity must be compensated through restoration or projects that are not sustainable either changed to become sustainable or abandoned altogether. This must be a requirement, not something that greedy companies can do if they want to or governments establish as voluntary activities. Just think about it, is the way we handle our one earth today sustainable?

Already at the age of eleven I started taking notes of my childhood birds. Many of these notes have come into use at a later stage, as many areas have been protected based on such data. Birds were everywhere in those days and it was an exciting world to discover! Wetlands and their birds have from the outset always been my favourites, probably because no other habitat is more productive in biodiversity and so full of life. The dynamics of migration can also easily be studied in wetlands. This includes birds that come to winter in my own country. One such species is the Long-tailed Duck. It winters in the tens of thousands along our shorelines and the male winter plumage is extremely beautiful and vivid. From the autumn and through the winter it’s high pitched songs, as males fights and display among females, is equally something I really cherish and whenever I hear them my day has been saved!

The AEWA Secretariat and its highly competent staff is also something I cherish much. It is not possible to thank them enough for their efforts and innovative activities. We truly need to take care of the staff and give them proper tools to perform even better.

The use of the AEWA compliance mechanism is probably among the best memories I have after nearly six years as chair of the Standing Committee. It is an example of advancing conservation issues and assisting the Parties and the end result is usually a win-win for all. I strongly believe that compliance mechanisms must be strengthened and we need to think carefully how to prioritize even more among the many tasks that Parties wish for.  
 

Mr. Øystein Størkersen
Norwegian AEWA National Focal Point
Chair of the AEWA Standing Committee

Øystein works at the Norwegian Environment Agency in Trondheim, Norway. In addition to serving as the Norwegian National Focal Point for AEWA and the Chair of the AEWA Standing Committee, Øystein has a wide portfolio of international engagements such as chairing the CITES Standing Committee. He has long been a key backer of AEWA and has helped to ensure continued Norwegian support for conservation activities implemented under the Agreement.