Bonn, 24 April 2015 - For Volodymyr, the Ukrainian National Focal Point for AEWA, the Agreement is the key international treaty providing instruments to the Parties to coordinate waterbird conservation using agreed and harmonized methodology and approaches. “Waterbirds play an important role in aquatic ecosystems being an essential part of their biodiversity, but many are endangered and require international concerted actions in order to protect them. Among the 255 AEWA species more than 100 occur in Ukraine – approximately a quarter of the country’s avian fauna. That is why being a Party to AEWA is important for Ukraine as this treaty provides substantial expert, scientific and legal support facilitating bird conservation,” says Volodymyr.
 

“Waterbirds play an important role in aquatic ecosystems being an essential part of their biodiversity, but many are endangered and require international concerted actions in order to protect them. Among the 255 AEWA species more than 100 occur in Ukraine – approximately a quarter of the country’s avian fauna. That is why being a Party to AEWA is important for Ukraine as this treaty provides substantial expert, scientific and legal support facilitating bird conservation,” says Volodymyr.

“Being involved in AEWA matters since the first session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA held in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1999, I have devoted a considerable portion of my working time to the conservation of birds, focusing mostly on legal issues at both national and international levels,” says Volodymyr. “For me the birds are worth such dedicated work. The memorable sessions of the AEWA MOP held in Germany (2002), Senegal (2005), Madagascar (2008) and France (2012) produced many important resolutions, guidelines, action plans and other documents which have contributed much to waterbird conservation and restoration”.

Volodymyr could not single out one particular species among the diversity of waterbirds under AEWA as they are all an integral part of biodiversity and should be preserved. However, some species have cultural and historical importance for Ukraine. Some people believe that the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) brings happiness to their home if it nests nearby.  Especially in rural areas people often construct artificial nests to attract the White Stork. A number of waterbirds are considered to be traditional game species in Ukraine and steps should be taken to ensure that hunting does not adversely affect the bird populations. In the wetlands of the southern part of Ukraine one of the most impressive and unforgettable phenomena can be observed every year when millions of migratory waterbirds, such as Red-breasted and other geese, ducks and waders stop there during their migrations.