The UNEP/AEWA Secretariat is pleased to announce the accession of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the 85th Party to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), with the country’s membership to the Agreement taking effect on 1 July 2023.

Bonn, 31 March 2023 – The 18th Meeting of the AEWA Technical Committee (TC18) took place at the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany from 14 – 16 March 2023. The three-day meeting brought together experts from a wide spectrum of fields as well as several Party Observers and key partner organizations of the Agreement.

The 15 February 2023 represents the transpiring of the 24 month transition period from the original 25th January 2021 which has allowed shooting stakeholders to adapt their practices for example by changing to non-toxic steel shot. It also further mandates all AEWA Parties of the EU and EEA to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement and brings harmonisation of restrictions across the regions to protect waterbirds from lead poisoning in wetlands. 

We are pleased to announce that next year’s World Migratory Bird Day campaign will focus on the topic of water and its importance for migratory birds. Water is fundamental to life on our planet. The vast majority of migratory birds rely on aquatic ecosystems during their life cycles. Inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds are all vital for feeding, drinking, or nesting, and also as places to rest and refuel during their long journeys.