On 10-11 April 2006 AEWA and CMS in partnership with UNEP convened a seminar on Avian Influenza, the Environment and Migratory Birds at UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The concept of the seminar was to bring together experts from relevant disciplines in order to review the latest scientific evidence on the role played by wild birds in the spread of avian influenza, to identify follow-up action and to produce recommendations for decision makers, the media and other stakeholders on actions to be taken in the context of conservation and the environment.

Twenty-one experts in virology, epidemiology, human and animal health, poultry farming, ecology and migration from different international and non-governmental organizations and institutions, elaborated conclusions and recommendations addressing the following key issues: Surveillance and Early Warning Systems, Risk Assessment, Research Needs, short and long term needs and next steps to be taken. All in all, the seminar, which was chaired by Peter Schei, Director of the Norwegian Friedtjof Nansen Institute and Chair of BirdLife International, was attended by more than 50 participants.

“The issue of Avian Influenza has been a top priority for AEWA since H5N1 spread into the AEWA region in 2005”, Bert Lenten, Executive Secretary of AEWA, stressed in his opening words. “The main challenge is to disseminate more balanced information to all relevant stakeholders. Hopefully the seminar will strengthen cooperation between the main players, gather latest information and communicate it to the outside world.”

To make these words become reality the seminar asked the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza to ensure the follow-up of the seminar by promoting the implementation of its outcomes. The Task Force was established by CMS in August 2005 in order to identify the potential role of migratory birds as vectors of the virus and the impact of the disease on migratory bird conservation. It comprises 13 members and observers, including UN bodies, wildlife treaties and specialist non-governmental organizations and institutions, and convenes on a regular basis. The implementation of the outcomes of the seminar, which was attended by most Task Force members, is now priority No 1.

The Task Force has agreed on a proposal for the creation of a designated Web site on avian influenza as a communication platform for its members and an information tool for governments, other stakeholders and the wider public. The proposal also includes plans for the appointment of a coordinator for maintaining this Web site and to coordinate the work of the Task Force as proposed by the seminar. The AEWA and CMS Secretariats are urgently looking for additional funds to help cover the costs for this project, and express their strong plea for financial support.

Environmental changes caused by humans play a significant role in health crises such as the current outbreaks of HPAI. According to a new report presented by David Rapport, Eco-Health Consulting, many human health crises, including the HPAI pandemic threat, are related to human-induced ecosystem degradation. Increasingly it is being seen, as with Avian Influenza, that ecological imbalance places human health at risk. “What we need”, stressed Mr. Rapport, “is a proactive approach which focuses on restoring and maintaining the health of the world’s ecosystems in order to minimize the risks of emerging and resurging diseases in both humans and animals.”

The seminar was closed by Shafqat Kakahel, Acting Director of UNEP, who expressed his appreciation to the Seminar’s co-sponsors - in addition to UNEP - namely the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), FAO, the Netherlands’ BirdLife partner Vogelbescherming Nederland and the Danish Hunters’ Association.

Further Information:

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Avian Influenza seminar
IISD’s summary of the Avian Influenza seminar

AEWA Resolution 3.18 Avian Influenza
CMS Resolution 8.27 Migratory Species and Highly Pathogenic Avain Influenza
Ramsar Resolution IX.23 Highly pathogenic avian influenza and its consequences for wetland and waterbird conservation and wise use