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Symposium to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), 14 _ 15 June 2010 in The Hague, the Netherlands

 

THE HAGUE ACTION STATEMENT

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‘Flyway conservation in action‘

This symposium is partially funded by the Department of Nature, Landscape & Rural Affairs of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food QualityThe Symposium to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Agreement on the Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) was hosted by the Dutch Government and partially funded by the Department of Nature, Landscape & Rural Affairs of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality. The Symposium took place in The Hague, where AEWA was concluded on 16 June 1995 at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

This two-day symposium was opened by Mr. H.M.A. van den Berg, representing the City of The Hague and Prof. Dr. André van der Zande, Secretary General of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality. Over 100 participants from 36 countries across the entire AEWA region and beyond were able to look back on the many positive achievements made under AEWA during the course of the last 15 years, and most importantly to examine the future role of the Agreement and the challenges faced. The symposium began with a series of presentations by key AEWA partners, followed by six workshops on the following issues:

    • land use developments in the AEWA region with a special focus on Africa;

    • management of waterbird site networks on the national level;

    • sustainable management of migratory birds and invasive species;

    • the wider flyway approach and priorities for each single species;

    • establishment of international site networks; the role of the International Waterbird Census; and

    • migratory waterbirds and climate change in the light of human interferences

The outcome of the informative and productive discussions during the workshops was held down in the Hague Action Statement, which outlines the currently crucial international actions necessary for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.



To mark the 15th Anniversary of AEWA, the Secretariat has produced two books:

one on the history of the development of AEWA by the Honorary Patron of AEWA, Dr Gerard C. Boere and a book of paintings by the Belgian artist, Yves Fagniart. The latter tells the story of an AEWA species, the Black-tailed Godwit, a migratory wader, and gives a vivid impression of the birds’ habitats as well as some of the threats they face.

 

These publications can be ordered via the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat.

For more information, please refer to