Bonn, 26 October 2007 - AEWA Executive Secretary Mr. Bert Lenten was among the conservation experts, policy makers and key stakeholders attending the International Conference on Migratory Raptors that took place from 22-25 October in Loch Lomond, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Delegates from 44 countries gathered to develop an international agreement for the conservation of endangered migratory birds of prey across Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. Over half of the 77 migratory species likely to come under the new agreement are threatened. According to specialists, the decline in numbers of migratory birds of prey are being driven by a variety of human induced threats, such as habitat destruction, degradation, climate change and long term effects of pollution.

The experts discussed the geographical boundaries of the proposed agreement, the species to be covered, and whether or not it should be legally binding. In addition, the aim of the conference was to bring together expertise from around the world to monitor and protect these birds and raise funds for future conservation.
However, a final agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the framework of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is not expected until 2008 when delegates will meet again at a conference in the United Arab Emirates.

Bert Lenten congratulates the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, who co-hosted this meeting, as well as the CMS Secretariat on the significant achievements made so far and hopes that activities for the conservation of migratory raptors in the African-Eurasian region will now commence soon.