Mr. Sergey Dereliev (AEWA Secretariat) highlighted additions to the Action Plan. The first addition is a paragraph on determining and monitoring the impacts of climate change on migratory waterbirds and their habitats, and responding appropriately to the threats. The second concerns minimizing the impact of fisheries on migratory waterbirds through by-catch and over-fishing, and the final addition calls for ensuring that adequate statutory pollution controls are in place, including those relating to the use of agricultural chemicals, pest control procedures, oil spills and the disposal of waste water.

Regarding suggested changes to species listings, Mr. Preben Clausen (Denmark) gave a presentation on four populations which were discussed at MOP2, but on which a decision had been postponed: two populations of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), one of pintail (Anas acuta), and one of common eider (Somateria mollisima). MOP2 felt that there were some doubts about the status of these populations, and that there was no agreed definition of the term ‘long-term decline’. Using the definition developed by the Technical Committee, as well as trend data from Wetlands International, it was recommended that the mallard and pintail populations should remain in their current categories, while the common eider, due to suddenly increased mortality rates, should be upgraded.

Mr. Dereliev highlighted proposed upgrades of several populations, including the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegypticus) and Bewick’s swan (Cygnus columbianus). Proposed downgrades by one column include one population of the Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia leucorodia), the South African white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), and the common crane (Grus grus). The common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is proposed to be downgraded by two columns.

Mr. Dereliev noted that the TC had recommended not including wetland-dependent passerines and birds of prey and owls in Table 1 of the Agreement. Listing passerines would potentially dilute the efforts of the Agreement, and would require much additional scientific work. Birds of prey and owls were not listed because CMS is currently looking at the options that might lead to another intergovernmental instrument for their conservation.

Concerning the listing of seabirds, Mr. Dereliev said the TC has used two criteria to filter out species for further consideration: (1) a species/sub-species should breed within the Agreement area, and its range should overlap with the Agreement area by 75% or more; and (2) a species/sub-species should demonstrate clear migration patterns. Using these criteria, 33 populations of 21 species were singled out from among 55 populations.

Mr. Bert Lenten (Executive Secretary) announced that CMS will consider the adoption of a Strategic Plan at its upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) in November 2005. Mr. Lenten said that if this Plan is adopted by CMS, it could be used as a basis for developing AEWA’s Strategic Plan in order avoid duplication of effort. The Plan would set out the future direction of the Agreement, for example with regard to the extension of the Agreement area and the listing of new species.

Ms. Gwen van Boven, consultant to the Secretariat, introduced the draft Communication Strategy. She said a communication strategy will facilitate coordination between the Secretariat, Parties, range states and other stakeholders. The current draft is the result of a long process of consultation with all stakeholders. The strategy has four main objectives: to stimulate and increase effective internal communication; to strengthen and develop mechanisms for effective external communication; to build regional capacity for communication; and to increase knowledge and awareness of AEWA, its added value and its objectives.

Mr. Sergey Dereliev (Secretariat) introduced the updated list of international implementation priorities (IIPs). Finding matching funds for the UNEP/GEF Flyways Project will be a main priority. The draft resolution calls for adoption of the IIPs for the next triennium. It also encourages range states to develop integrated, international projects and to try to find innovative partnership mechanisms. It calls on bilateral and multilateral donor institutions to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Mr. Dereliev introduced the draft International Single Species Action Plans (SSAPs) for the light-bellied Brent goose, East Canadian High Arctic population (Branta bernicla bernicla), the Northern bald ibis (Gerontica eremita), the ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), the white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) and the corncrake (Crex crex).

Germany reported that the Headquarters Agreement had been signed by the Government of Germany, CMS and the UN in 2002. The former parliamentary buildings in Bonn will be handed to the UN in April 2006, and will be part of the new UN Campus. The AEWA Secretariat will also be moving to the new premises.

Mr. Bert Lenten (AEWA Executive Secretary) introduced a proposal to reduce the costs linked to meetings of the Technical Committee. This proposed reducing the number of meetings of the Committee from three to two per triennium, and restricting the financial support available to delegates.

Mr. Lenten also reported that AEWA, together with CMS, has concluded a joint work programme with Wetlands International and with Ramsar. Together with CMS, AEWA will look for synergies with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Currently a Memorandum of Cooperation is being drafted with OMPO (Oiseaux Migrateurs du Paléarctique Occidentale), and cooperation with other bodies is being explored.

Reporting on income and expenditure, Mr. Lenten said that the income from new Parties has been less than expected, since the rate of accession had been slower than predicted. Almost one million US dollars has been received in voluntary contributions. Salary costs have been considerably higher than predicted, due to the 20-25% loss in purchasing power of the US dollar. Costs related to meetings and travel have been reduced thanks to additional voluntary contributions. In order to cover the excess expenditure over income, the Agreement’s reserve has been reduced.
Mr. Lenten introduced the draft Budget Proposal 2006-2008, noting that the loss in purchasing power of the US dollar would require increased contributions from Parties, while activities would not be increased. The draft budget does not cover the communication strategy or following up on the proposed resolutions on the avian flu and on climate change.

Mr. Moulay Lahcen El Kabiri, CMS Deputy Executive Secretary, reported on private sector fundraising, and noted that an association called ‘Friends of CMS’ had been established. It is intended that this association will implement concrete projects in cooperation with AEWA, ASCOBANS and EUROBATS.

Regarding an Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding on raptors, Mr. Lenten said that no decision has been taken about a possible legal instrument. It will be necessary to evaluate such future developments, as it is questionable whether it will be productive to have multiple Agreements dealing with migratory waterbirds in the region.

Mr. Lenten then introduced the issue of the proposed Central Asian Flyway (CAF). He said that a workshop had been held in India by CMS with co-funding from AEWA, Wetlands International and others. No decision has been reached on whether this issue should be taken forward by establishing a new CMS Agreement or by extending the AEWA region. Mr. El Kabiri said that CMS will establish an interim Secretariat in due course. Next year an intergovernmental meeting will be organized to discuss and conclude the Action Plan and legal framework under which the Action Plan would be implemented. One of the options could be extension of AEWA. Several countries from the region expressed the opinion that extension of the current Agreement would be most effective. The issue will be further discussed in a separate Sessional Working Group, as well as at the CMS COP next month.

Snapshots of the day:

Snapshots of the MOP3 Team "behind the scenes"