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Chairs of the Sessional Committees on Technical Matters and
on Financial and Administrative Matters reported that the
Committees had reached agreement on all draft Resolutions,
and now wished to forward them to Plenary for final adoption.
The Plenary adopted all Resolutions, some with minor amendments.
Resolutions on the following matters were adopted without
substantial discussion: closing of the register of international
projects; review of biogeographical limits of waterbird populations;
guidelines for criteria used in Table 1 of the Action Plan;
submission of national reports to MOP3; online reporting;
an international partnership for support of waterbird population
assessments; follow-up to the Edinburgh declaration; amendments
to the Annexes; a strategic plan; a communication strategy;
International Implementation Priorities 2006-2008; single
species action plans; institution arrangements; the draft
budget proposal; date and venue of the next MOP; tribute to
the organisers; and climate change in relation to migratory
waterbirds.
Two additional Resolutions were adopted: one on avian influenza,
and one on implementing the Addis Abeba principles on sustainable
use. A decision was adopted on the appointment of the Executive
Secretary, commending the current Executive Secretary on
his work and urging UNEP to complete the recruitment as
soon as possible. UNEP reiterated that the issue will definitely
be resolved before the end of 2005.
 Madagascar
noted that it would soon complete its ratification process.
Moreover, it offered to host MOP4, an offer which was applauded
by all delegates. A final decision about the exact date
will be taken by the Secretariat in close cooperation with
CMS, Ramsar and Wetlands International.
Angola said it would launch the procedure for accession
to AEWA directly after this meeting.
 France
commended the MOP’s productive work on avian influenza,
and suggested publishing a press release on the results
of the meeting. He said it was important to highlight the
effects of the virus on wild bird populations, since so
far only the human health perspective had received media
attention. Publishing a press release, also on AEWA’s
website, would be an easy and inexpensive way to showcase
AEWA’s work and its importance to the world.
Vice-Chair Mr. Dirk Schwenzfeier (Germany) commented on
the outcome of the budget discussions, noting that the budget
was clear, transparent and future-oriented.
The Meeting then adopted guidelines for determining priorities
for AEWA financial support. These state, among other things,
that a project will be given higher priority if it has one
or more of several attributes, including: being international
in geographical scope, involving two or more AEWA range
states; being likely to lead to institutional or other capacity
development; and demonstrating principles of sustainable
development, and where appropriate, poverty alleviation.
Chair Professor Amadou Tidiane (Senegal) said he had been
impressed by the meeting’s attendance and its lively
and constructive discussions. He said the results and conclusions
improve the performance of the Agreement, and expressed
hope that sufficient financial resources would found to
implement the Resolutions. Noting in particular the Resolution
on avian influenza, he said the issue invites
us to coordinate initiatives among different organisations.
He also stressed the need to take into account the socio-economic
aspects of nature conservation.
Germany, as the headquarters state, and as Vice-Chair of
the meeting, expressed its appreciation for the work of
the Senegalese Government and the Secretariat. He announced
that the German Government had recently signed the contract
that secures its support to the UNEP/GEF Flyways project.
 His
Excellency Thierno Lo Ba, Minister of Environment and Nature
Protection of Senegal, made his entrance for the official
Closing Ceremony.
Mr. Bert Lenten, Executive Secretary, said the outcomes
of the meeting were satisfactory, and congratulated delegates
on reaching agreement on the budget in a positive atmosphere.
He said coordination with the host country had been smooth,
and thanked the Government of Senegal for its hospitality.
Recalling Madagascar’s offer to host MOP4, he noted
that this would be the third MOP to be held in Africa, and
said that this reflected the importance of Africa in the
flyway and in the Agreement.
 Underlining
the importance of the Agreement for Senegal, His Excellency,
Minister Thierno Lo Ba, said Senegal’s wetlands host
a large proportion of the world’s waterbirds and are
an important tourist attraction. He congratulated all delegates
on the important results, including the thorough analysis
of the issue of avian influenza. He stressed the need for
sustainable use of waterbirds for the benefit of humankind,
and for conservation on flyway level through transnational
cooperation. He encouraged delegates to further develop
and consolidate the Agreement. He then formally declared
the meeting closed.
 A
side event was organised by the host country Senegal, including
presentations on three large-scale projects. The first presentation,
on capacity building and poverty alleviation in Africa in
the context of waterbird conservation, was given by Mr.
Mandiaye Ndiaye, Direction of National Parks. Mr. Ndiaye
outlined grassroots-level projects in the national parks
of Djoudj and Saloum, including replanting of mangrove forests
by local women. The second presentation was given by Mr.
Cheikh Hamallah Diagana, Dakar Office of Wetlands International.
Mr. Diagana gave an overview of the African Waterbird Census,
which was initiated in 1991. It now comprises counts in
900 sites in 40 countries, and is carried out by thousands
of volunteers across Africa. The third presentation, on
a project called GIRMaC, was given by Mr. Youssouphe Mbengue,
GIRMaC Coordination Unit. GIRMaC is a sustainable fisheries
project that includes capacity building, the development
of conservation strategies, strengthening of existing protected
areas, and a biodiversity information system.
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