AEWA News

AEWA MOP8 Daily Coverage for Wednesday 28 September 2022

The Eight Meeting of the Parties (MOP8) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) resumed in two working groups on the second day of the meeting. Following regional consultations in the morning, Working Group I resumed their deliberations on the Budget, while Working Group II on Scientific and Technical Matters reviewed and agreed on amendments to draft resolutions and other documents to be tabled for adoption in plenary on Friday, 30th September.

29 September 2022

AEWA MOP8 Daily Coverage for Tuesday 27 September 2022

The Eight Meeting of the Parties (MOP8) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) opened on Tuesday, 27 September in Budapest Hungary, under the theme “Strengthening Flyway Conservation in a Changing World”. The meeting was officially opened by Ms Flora Mokgohloa (South Africa) as Chair of AEWA MOP7, who thanked the Government of Hungary for hosting the meeting.

28 September 2022

New Guidelines to Help Countries to Better Plan Climate Change Adaptation Measures for Migratory Waterbirds

Climate change is already negatively affecting many waterbird species and new Complementary Guidelines on Climate Change Adaptation Measures for Waterbirds – proposed for adoption at AEWA’s 8th Meeting of the Parties in Budapest – provide much needed practical guidance to help resource-constrained countries to understand the impacts of climate change on their waterbird populations and key sites, plan adaptation measures and implement mitigation policies. These new guidelines build on the existing AEWA MOP-approved guidelines (Conservation Guidelines No. 12 - Guidelines on measures needed to help waterbirds to adapt to climate change and Resolution 6.6 - Updated Advice on Climate Change Adaptation Measures for Waterbirds).

28 September 2022

Opening Speech by Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary of AEWA

Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Zsolt Semjén

And the State Secretaries,

Madam the President of MOP7, Flora Mokgohloa

Madam the Executive Secretary of CMS, dear Amy,

27 September 2022

Opening Speech by Dr. Zsolt Semjén, Deputy-Prime Minister of Hungary

Welcome to the 8th Session of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) in Budapest. I am delighted that we are able to host the meeting of this international convention, which is so important for nature conservation in Hungary. Although our original plans were thwarted by the Covid epidemic, we have done our utmost to ensure that the meeting can be held in person, albeit a year late.

27 September 2022

AEWA MOP8 Report Shows Conservation Status and Priority Actions for Waterbirds in Africa and Eurasia

AEWA's flagship report presented at the 8th Meeting of the Parties to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA MOP8) in Budapest this week is the "Report on the Conservation Status of Migratory Waterbirds in the Agreement Area". The report brings together the latest available survey and monitoring data on waterbirds in the African-Eurasian Flyways to provide an overview of the status and trends of waterbird populations protected by AEWA.

26 September 2022

Study Confirms: Migratory Waterbirds Require Well-managed Protected Areas

A study recently published earlier in 2022 in the journal Nature shows that the conservation impact of protected areas, such as national parks, on species greatly varies according to the way that they are managed. The study led by the universities of Exeter and Cambridge examined the impact of 1,500 protected areas (in 68 countries) on more than 27,000 waterbird populations. The study compared waterbird population trends in protected areas before management control with trends afterwards and compared the trends of similar waterbird populations inside and outside protected areas.

25 September 2022

Icons of Africa’s Wetlands and Grasslands Need Multi-faceted Approach to Ensure Their Future

Grey Crowned Cranes, icons of Africa’s grasslands and savannas, are found across 15 range states in Southern and East Africa.  Dependent on wetlands for breeding, Grey Crowned Cranes are found foraging in the natural wetland and grassland habitats in the catchment or in the adjoining agricultural lands.  They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red Data List and have declined by up to 80 percent over a 25-year period.  Focussing on addressing the key threats to the species, including habitat loss, disturbance by livestock and people, and the illegal captive crane trade, an International Action Plan was developed and endorsed at the 6th Meeting of the Parties of AEWA held in Bonn, Germany in 2015.

21 September 2022

Successful Collaboration with AEWA: RESSOURCE Project to Sustain Achievements in the Sahel Region

Today, millions of people in the Sahel continue to depend on wetlands and waterbirds for their income, food and cultural identity. These rich ecosystems provide essential services to local communities: Sahelian wetlands are the site of important economic, agricultural and pastoral activities, helping to sustain the livelihoods of millions of people. These wetlands store carbon, retain most freshwater and improve its quality. They are also home to a rich biodiversity, in particular millions of waterbirds, including many Palearctic migrants, but also many Afro-tropical species that are sedentary or migratory according to seasonal rainfall variations.

20 September 2022