30 Years of AEWA – Statement by Mr. Levente Kőrösi, AEWA National Focal Point – Biodiversity and Gene Conservation Department Ministry of Environment, Hungary
Hungary warmly congratulates the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement on its 30th anniversary. We greatly appreciate the role AEWA has played over the past three decades in promoting international cooperation and coordinated conservation action for migratory waterbirds and their habitats across continents.
Hungary is home to key wetlands that are essential for migratory waterbirds throughout their life cycle. From Lake Balaton and its surrounding marshlands, to Danube and Tisza rivers, and the unique alkaline lakes of the Great Hungarian Plain, these sites serve as vital breeding grounds, foraging areas, and resting places. They also represent ecosystems of exceptional biodiversity and contribute to our natural heritage and cultural identity.
The conservation of migratory waterbirds requires a unified flyway-level approach: we must work together across borders, guided by shared scientific knowledge and common objectives. We are committed to implementing this long-term vision on the ground. Through habitat restoration, ecological research, and monitoring, Hungary contributes to the conservation of globally threatened species such as the Lesser White-fronted Goose. At the same time, we are raising awareness and taking action to halt the decline of once-abundant species like the Black-headed Gull, whose falling numbers underscore the urgency of our work.
As we celebrate this important milestone, Hungary reaffirms its dedication to AEWA and to the conservation of migratory waterbirds. It was an honour for us to host AEWA MOP8 in Budapest in 2022 and we are proud to be able to contribute to a successful meeting and its important outcomes. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to safeguard these remarkable species and the ecosystems they depend on, for the benefit of nature, and for generations to come.