The UNEP/ AEWA Secretariat received information from the Depositary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands that Syria and Ireland deposited their instrument of accession to Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory. Waterbirds (AEWA) on 30 May 2003.

In accordance with Article XIV of the Agreement text, AEWA will enter into force for these countries as of 1 August 2003. The Agreement Secretariat welcomes both countries to the 'AEWA family' and looks forward to a close and fruitful cooperation with both of them. Now that Ireland and Syria have joined AEWA the total number of Contracting Parties will be 40.