Ground-breaking Flyways Summit Held in Abu Dhabi

Bonn, 4 May 2018 – A four-day summit concluded in Abu Dhabi on 26 April, at which many of the key players in global bird conservation participated representing NGOs, the scientific community, governments and the CMS Family.  The main item under discussion was how migratory birds can be better protected at every point of their arduous journeys along the flyways.

The summit brought together representatives of 100 organizations from 70 countries in a series of workshops where experiences were exchanged and ideas for further collaboration discussed.

A number of actions to address eight priority areas for flyway conservation were discussed and agreed:  (1) sustainable approaches to coastal ecosystem protection, management and restoration; (2) ensuring that onshore and offshore renewable energy and power transmission sectors take full account of the needs of migratory birds; (3) adopting a zero tolerance approach to the illegal killing, taking and trade of wild birds; (4) recognizing bustards as flagships for the grassland landscapes; for Houbara Bustards, ensuring that hunting is regulated and sustainable as part of an integrated in situ and ex situ approach; (5) highlighting the importance of implementing the CMS Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MsAP) and the need to tackle the threat of poison baits; (6) scaling-up implementation of the Saker Falcon Global Action Plan (SakerGAP) especially as regards measures to address electrocution; (7) building the capacity of people and organizations involved in flyway conservation; and (8) more effective collaboration between donors through the establishment of an alliance to enhance efforts for bird conservation.

The confirmation at the Summit that there is an urgent need to create and properly fund a Global Coastal Forum is a much-needed step in the right direction to help conserve shorebirds many of which are undergoing alarming declines.

Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary, UNEP/AEWA

The Global Flyways Summit was convened by BirdLife International in association with the MAVA Foundation, the Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME) and CMS among others.  It was hosted by the International Fund for Houbara Conservation in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.  At the end of the meeting, a Declaration was issued by BirdLife International.

Last updated on 09 May 2018

Type: 
News item
Country: 
United Arab Emirates
Region: 
Asia
Species group: 
Birds