AEWA News

Study Confirms: Migratory Waterbirds Require Well-managed Protected Areas

A study recently published earlier in 2022 in the journal Nature shows that the conservation impact of protected areas, such as national parks, on species greatly varies according to the way that they are managed. The study led by the universities of Exeter and Cambridge examined the impact of 1,500 protected areas (in 68 countries) on more than 27,000 waterbird populations. The study compared waterbird population trends in protected areas before management control with trends afterwards and compared the trends of similar waterbird populations inside and outside protected areas.

25 September 2022

Icons of Africa’s Wetlands and Grasslands Need Multi-faceted Approach to Ensure Their Future

Grey Crowned Cranes, icons of Africa’s grasslands and savannas, are found across 15 range states in Southern and East Africa.  Dependent on wetlands for breeding, Grey Crowned Cranes are found foraging in the natural wetland and grassland habitats in the catchment or in the adjoining agricultural lands.  They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red Data List and have declined by up to 80 percent over a 25-year period.  Focussing on addressing the key threats to the species, including habitat loss, disturbance by livestock and people, and the illegal captive crane trade, an International Action Plan was developed and endorsed at the 6th Meeting of the Parties of AEWA held in Bonn, Germany in 2015.

21 September 2022

Successful Collaboration with AEWA: RESSOURCE Project to Sustain Achievements in the Sahel Region

Today, millions of people in the Sahel continue to depend on wetlands and waterbirds for their income, food and cultural identity. These rich ecosystems provide essential services to local communities: Sahelian wetlands are the site of important economic, agricultural and pastoral activities, helping to sustain the livelihoods of millions of people. These wetlands store carbon, retain most freshwater and improve its quality. They are also home to a rich biodiversity, in particular millions of waterbirds, including many Palearctic migrants, but also many Afro-tropical species that are sedentary or migratory according to seasonal rainfall variations.

20 September 2022

New Venue and Dates for the AEWA MOP8 in Budapest, Hungary

The UNEP/AEWA Secretariat would like to inform all participants of the 8th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA (MOP8) of a change of the meeting venue, as well as an adjusted schedule for the meeting. The changes come after the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat was recently informed by the Government of Hungary that the AEWA MOP8 could no longer be hosted at the Hungexpo convention centre, as originally scheduled.

18 August 2022

Preventing Pandemics Together - Nature4Health Applications Now Welcome

The Nature for Health (N4H) initiative is currently inviting low-and middle-income countries to apply for technical support in implementing preventative One Health measures around the world. N4H is a global initiative, working to reduce future pandemics and related health risks by fostering locally developed and integrated approaches to secure the health of people, animals, and the environment at large.

18 August 2022

African Parties Get Ready for AEWA MOP8

In preparation for the upcoming 8th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA (MOP8), more than 50 participants from predominantly African countries convened for a four-day online preparatory meeting organized by the AEWA Secretariat from 4-7 July 2022. Participants used the Pre-MOP meeting to discuss key issues to be addressed at AEWA MOP8, with a particular focus on matters considered to be of high priority for waterbird conservation in Africa.

15 July 2022

Wetlands conservation in Sahel: Sudanese experience

In the framework of the Ressource project coordinated by the FAO and co-financed by the FGEF and the EU, the Tour du Valat and Office Français de la Biodiversité joint team is supporting its Sudane

24 May 2022

Avian Influenza Continues to Impact Wild Migratory Birds: The Case of Prespa National Park

On 15 February 2022, an outbreak of avian influenza was detected at the Prespa National Park, in Greece, resulting in mass mortality events that have severely impacted the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) breeding colony found in the Lesser Prespa Lake. The Dalmatian Pelican is classified as Near Threatened according to the IUCN and is listed under the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) – in Column A (categories 1a & 1c for the Black Sea & Mediterranean population) - and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) – on both appendix I and II. These migratory waterbirds are known to nest in colonies running along south-east Europe to east-central Asia.

06 April 2022

AEWA’s African Initiative Shines Focus on the Madagascar Pond-heron, White-winged Flufftail and Climate Change Adaptation Efforts

Millions of migratory waterbirds depend on Africa’s wetlands for breeding, feeding, resting and nesting. With the survival of many waterbird populations being particularly at risk in the Afro-tropical region, the AEWA African Initiative plays a crucial role by offering a package of support focused on promoting the implementation of AEWA on the continent

04 April 2022

African Regional Preparatory Meeting for AEWA MOP8 (virtual format)

 The African Regional Preparatory Meeting for the 8th Session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA (Pre-MOP8) will take place from 4-7 July 2022. Due to COVID-19 restrictions still in place, the meeting will be held in a virtual format. The AEWA African Pre-MOP8 will provide an important opportunity for the AEWA Contracting Parties in Africa to deliberate on the key issues related to migratory waterbird conservation which will be addressed at the 8th Session of the AEWA Meeting of Parties (MOP8) and, in this regard, review relevant documents to be submitted to MOP8.

03 March 2022