The AEWA Conservation Award in the individual category was presented to Hichem Azafzaf (Tunisia) in the presence of the Tunisian Ambassador to Hungary, while BirdLife South Africa was presented the award in the institutional category.
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Following a decision of the AEWA Standing Committee, the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2025 round of the AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award.
To submit nominations, please fill in the standard nomination form available here.
The deadline for submission of nominations is 13 May 2025.
Before filling in and submitting the nomination form, please read the criteria and procedures below.
We look forward to receiving your nominations!
One AEWA Award shall be presented in each of the following categories:
a) The "Institutional Category" rewarding activities by governments, organisations, enterprises, etc. - including legislation, strategies, plans, programmes, projects, investments, and campaigns - that have significantly contributed, or have a clear potential to contribute, to (i) the development of the Agreement, (ii) the conservation of species, (iii) the conservation of their habitats, (iv) the management of human activities, (v) research and monitoring, and (vi) education and information.
b) The "Individual Category" rewarding activities by individuals that have significantly contributed, or have a clear potential to contribute, to (i) the development of the Agreement, (ii) the conservation of species, (iii) the conservation of their habitats, (iv) the management of human activities, (v) research and monitoring, and (vi) education and information.
Institutions and citizens of all nations are invited to nominate individuals or institutions - governmental and non-governmental, including community groups or private sector enterprises - of any country in the Agreement area for the respective award category.
Institutions and individuals not eligible for the award are as follows:
Nominations should be submitted to the AEWA Secretariat in English, using the standard AEWA Award Nomination Form, accompanied by all appropriate supporting documentation and references.
The closing date for nominations for this seventh round of the AEWA Award is 13 May 2025. This date shall be final.
The AEWA Secretariat shall collate and process the nominations received and submit them for the consideration of the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee shall select the winners. This decision shall be final.
The award in any of the categories cannot be shared and will be presented to one nominee only.
In the absence of a suitable candidate for any of the categories the AEWA Standing Committee reserves the right not to grant an award.
The announcement of the award winners on each occasion shall be made by a press release as soon as all winners have confirmed their acceptance of the award. The winners should be available to attend the presentation ceremony and make an address. For this purpose, they will be provided with economy travel and accommodation to attend the ceremony.
The AEWA Award will be presented at the opening ceremony of the 9th Session of the Meeting of the Parties on 10 November 2025.
Please note that the next AEWA Waterbird Conservation Award will not be accompanied by a cash prize due to the lack of funding.
The nomination form is available here.
Deadline for submission of nominations is 13 May 2025. Nominations received after this date will not be considered.