Bonn, 19 December 2014 - The following is a collection of guest contributions from the Technical Support Unit (TSU) to the AEWA African Initiative.

• 
  In November 2014, a workshop took place relating to the first phase of an International Waterbird Census (IWC) support programme in the Mediterranean basin, with a focus on North Africa. The workshop permitted carrying out an unprecedented regional analysis, of national IWC-related counts in five North African countries as well as consideration of follow-up for the support programme. (Read more)

• 
  In December, the Technical Support Unit organized and conducted a technical workshop on improving the quantity and quality of data from waterbird counts related to the International Waterbird Census (IWC). This technical workshop took place in Dakar, Senegal from 9 to 13 December 2014 and was intended primarily for database managers from AEWA's francophone African Contracting Parties and aimed to check, update and complement existing databases on waterbird counts. (Read more)
• 

  The Technical Support Unit has also issued a short newsletter on its 2014 activities which also includes details on the development of a new project called ‘RESSOURCES’ aimed at promoting integrated management of migratory waterbirds and wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa. The newsletter is available here (in French only).