Iceland congratulates AEWA on its 30th anniversary and is proud to be a part of this vital international instrument dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats. Over the past three decades, AEWA has played a crucial role in facilitating collaboration across borders, disciplines, and communities along the African-Eurasian Flyway.

As a country positioned at the northern edge of the flyway, Iceland recognizes its shared responsibility in safeguarding key breeding and staging areas for a number of important migratory species. Through AEWA, Iceland has benefited from and contributed to coordinated conservation measures, international knowledge exchange, and science-based policy development.

One notable example is the cooperative work under the AEWA International Working Group for the Icelandic Greylag Goose and Greenlandic Barnacle Goose populations, where joint monitoring and adaptive management and monitoring have served as successful models of transboundary management. Iceland values this platform for dialogue and decision-making, which ensures that conservation objectives are met while maintaining sustainable use.

Looking ahead, Iceland remains committed to the goals of AEWA and to deepening collaboration with range states, researchers, and local communities and stakeholders. In an era of increasing environmental pressures, AEWA’s role is more important than ever. We look forward to continuing this shared journey to protect migratory waterbirds and the ecosystems they depend on for generations to come.

Back to the AEWA 30th anniversary website