Bonn,
in April 2011 - After having
worked as Executive Secretary of AEWA for more than 15
years,
it is time for me to move on and take up a new challenge.
As you might be aware, in addition to my position at
the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, I have held the post of Acting
Deputy Executive Secretary of the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
since July 2009. The Executive Director of UNEP, Mr.
Achim Steiner, recently appointed me the new Deputy
Executive Secretary of CMS as of 2 May 2011.

My career with AEWA began on 1 January 1996 when the Ministry
of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries of the
Netherlands (LNV) appointed me Executive Secretary of the
Interim Secretariat of AEWA. Some of you may recall that
at the Negotiation Meeting which adopted AEWA in June 1995,
the Netherlands offered, among other things, to host and
provide an Interim Secretariat for the duration of three
years. At that time it was expected that the required ratification
by seven countries from Eurasia and seven from Africa would
be achieved within three years after the Agreement was
opened for signature. However, it took nearly another year
before the Agreement finally entered into force on 1 November
1999. On 16 July 2000, the Interim Secretariat was replaced
by a permanent one and co-located with the UNEP/CMS Secretariat
in Bonn. Both Secretariats are administered by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Looking back, I feel privileged that the Ministry decided
to put me in charge of such a young Agreement, which
finally hatched at the Negotiation Meeting in 1995, after
years
of incubation. My main responsibility has been to take
care of this newborn chick and to lead it to the fully
fledged Agreement it is today. This has only been possible
due to all the support received over the years from Governments,
IGOs, NGOs, and experts as well as the private sector.
Due to this support we were able to carry out many conservation
projects, develop numerous guidelines, Single Species
Action Plans, and much, much more. Also, the support of
the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) through the Wings over Wetlands
(WOW) Project has boosted the implementation of the Agreement
tremendously over the last few years. Nevertheless, even
after all the support received and conservation activities
carried out, we are still facing a long-term decline
in the case of many waterbird species. Therefore, there
is
no time for contemplation; on the contrary, it is time
to step up our efforts and to make a real change to ensure
that future generations will continue to enjoy these
beautiful creatures.



As of 2 May 2011, I will step down as Executive Secretary.
This I do with mixed feelings. On the one hand,
it is great to have the opportunity to take up a new
challenge. On the other hand, it is hard to leave behind
the very dedicated and professional AEWA team. The successes
that have been achieved over the years are due to this
excellent team, without which AEWA would not have become
what it is today.

Moving on to CMS means that I will continue to work on
the conservation of migratory species. In my new capacity
I am sure that I will stay in touch with many of you,
so it is not a definitive farewell but just a change
of hats. I sincerely wish that you will continue to
support the implementation of AEWA in the years to come.

Regarding my successor, I can inform you that the recruitment
of the new Executive Secretary might take a while. However,
an Officer
in Charge has been nominated, in consultation with the
UNEP Executive Director, to take over the helm of AEWA
until the appointment of a new Executive Secretary. I am
pleased to announce that Mr. Marco Barbieri, who is currently
Agreement Development and Servicing Officer at the CMS
Secretariat, will take over the role of Acting Executive
Secretary of the AEWA Secretariat as of 2 May 2011.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you for the good
cooperation we have had over the years and for the manifold
support that you have given to AEWA and to encourage you
to continue providing your support to AEWA in future.

Best regards,

Bert Lenten