A scientific workshop was convened on 26-29 March 2007 at the UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss the possibilities of nominating the Great Rift Valley (GRV) for World Heritage status. The workshop recognised the outstanding universal value of the GRV, the cradle of humankind, with its cultural and natural heritage, its cultural landscapes, its biodiversity and its importance as a flyway for migratory birds.

The Great Rift Valley is the longest rift valley on earth. It extends over 7000 km from Turkey through more than 20 countries down to Mozambique. Being aware of the importance of the GRV as a major flyway for many AEWA species, the AEWA Secretariat decided to participate in this workshop and play an active role in the discussions. The latter was highly appreciated and resulted in the recommendation to invite AEWA to become one of the members of the Steering Committee, who’s task will be to coordinate, oversee and communicate the activities of this new African-driven GRV Initiative.

AEWA’s role will be primarily to liaise with UNEP and the other biodiversity conventions. Each member of the Steering Committee will also be requested to support fundraising activities. In the short term, funds are needed to collate basic information on the values of the GRV and to draft a brochure to inform the respective conferences of parties to CBD, the Ramsar Convention, CMS and AEWA, which will all take place in 2008, in order to gain their support for this Initiative. If you wish to support this project please contact the AEWA Secretariat at aewa@unep.de.

To read the ‘Nairobi Great Rift Valley Declaration’, which was adopted at the end of the scientific workshop, please click here.