The first Joint Work Progamme (JWP) between Wetlands International, the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Secretariat of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was concluded during a signing ceremony on Wednesday 26 March 2003 at the UN Premises in Bonn.

CMS Executive Secretary Mr Arnulf Müller-Helmbrecht pointed out that this was the last in a series of Memoranda of Understandings and JWPs the CMS Secretariat concluded over the last few years. Mr Bert Lenten, Executive Secretary of the AEWA Secretariat, highlighted this JWP to be the first one concluded under AEWA. He stressed the important commitment of Wetlands International as well as its future role regarding the development and implementation of the Agreement.

The JWP will strengthen the communication between Wetlands International, CMS and AEWA and their subsidiary bodies. It provides for an exchange of information on annual work programmes and activities with a view to identifying possible joint activities. This will lead to joint efforts to achieve synergies and economies of scale. According to the JWP, Wetlands International shall make an endeavour to assist in the implementation of CMS and AEWA. Furthermore, co-operative activities for the conservation of migratory wetland species will be promoted. The signatories will take co-ordinated action at a flyway level, which shall be based on formal instruments. The development of an agreement for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the Central Asian South Asian Flyway is an example at a regional scale.

With this JWP, a first step is made in close co-operation between the three Secretariats. It is hoped that more efficient use can be made of the limited human and financial resources of each organisation. The objective is, improved conservation of migratory species.