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UN-led Task Force Issues Guidance on Addressing Unprecedented Outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Wildlife

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) © Sergey Dereliev, www.dereliev-photography.com

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) © Sergey Dereliev, www.dereliev-photography.com

Bonn, 13 July 2023 – The Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds – co-convened by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – has sounded the alarm on the current near-global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the unparalleled scale of mortality among wild birds. Among other recommendations, the Task Force urges countries to consider HPAI as a conservation issue, plan accordingly and avoid culling measures of wild birds. It also calls for a ‘One Health’ approach to ensure appropriate cross-sectoral attention to human, animal and environmental health.

14 July 2023

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Accedes to AEWA as 85th Party

Flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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.

29 June 2023

Greece Accedes to AEWA as Party No. 84

Flag of Greece

Flag of Greece

Bonn, 1 June 2023 - The UNEP/AEWA Secretariat is pleased to announce the accession of Greece as AEWA’s 84th Party with the country’s membership of the Agreement taking effect on 1

01 June 2023

AEWA Technical Committee Sets its Work Plan for 2023 – 2025

Common Loon

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.

31 March 2023

Building Capacity in Western Indian Ocean Islands

© Birgit Drerup, AEWA Secretariat

An AEWA Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for Western Indian Ocean islands has helped build capacity on the flyway approach to the conservation and wise use of waterbirds and wetlands. From 6 to 10 February 2023, the workshop, which was hosted by the government of Mauritius, brought together 35 participants from Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius including Rodrigues Island, Seychelles, Mayotte and Réunion.

28 March 2023

EU Bans Lead Shot in Wetlands

An estimated one million waterbirds in Europe fall victim every year to lead poisoning after consuming spent shot. The new ban in wetlands across the EU and EEA will help reduce this mortality.

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. 

15 February 2023

The Eurasian Spoonbill International Expert Group Met in Zadar, Croatia, October 3-7, 2022, for its 10th International Workshop

Eurasian Spoonbills © Maurice Benmergui

Jointly organized by the Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, the Department of Biology University of Osijek, the CASA Institute of Ornithology, and the Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, this workshop gathered 29 participants from 15 different countries. The group was created in 1992, and this workshop takes place every three years. It involves staff from various nature conservation organizations, including scientists, members of NGOs, managers of breeding sites, students, all passionate about this emblematic wetland species.

19 December 2022

World Migratory Bird Day 2023 to Focus on Water

World Migratory Bird Day 2023 will focus on the topic of water and its importance for migratory birds.

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.

01 December 2022

Call for Proposals to Change Delineations of Waterbird Populations Listed on Table 1 of Annex 3 to AEWA

Great Snipe © Canva.com

In preparation for the 9th edition of the AEWA Conservation Status Report (CSR9), the AEWA Technical Committee is calling for proposals to change existing delineations of AEWA populations in the light of new evidence.

30 November 2022

Call for Applications – AEWA Training of Trainers Workshop on Flyway Conservation

Previous Training of Trainers Workshop © Tim Dodman

The Secretariat of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) is pleased to announce the call for applications for a regional-level Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on the Flyway Approach to the Conservation and Wise Use of Waterbirds and Wetlands, scheduled to take place from 6 to 10 February 2023 in Mauritius, at the kind invitation of the Government of Mauritius.

28 October 2022