Summary Highlights of the Meeting

AEWA MOP 5 convened for its final day in La Rochelle, France, on Friday, 18 May 2012.

During the morning, delegates convened in plenary and adopted resolutions on: the budget; implementation of AEWA International Implementation Tasks (2009-2016); AEWA’s contribution to delivering the Aichi biodiversity targets; clarifications on the definition of disturbance; and support for reinforcing capacities with a view to improving laws and policies in favor of waterbirds. They also adopted resolutions on, among other things: national reports and online reporting; the communication strategy; amendments to the AEWA Action Plan; international single species action plans; conservation guidelines; long-term structural funding for the International Waterbird Census; and the African Initiative. MOP 5 also adopted the African Initiative Five-year Plan of Action.

During the afternoon, delegates reviewed and adopted the report of the meeting. No decision was made on the venue of MOP 6; participants agreed to delegate this matter to the Standing Committee. MOP 5 Chair Paul Delduc (France) gaveled the meeting to a close at 4:19pm.

Visit the web coverage for Friday, 18 May.

On Thursday, delegates abandoned business suits and meeting rooms in exchange for binoculars and salt marshes, to explore the French countryside and take advantage of the spring migration. Four options for all-day field trips were offered, to the marshes of Rochefort, Poitevin, Brouage and L’Ile de Ré. These trips were courtesy of the French government and jointly organized by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), National Office of Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS) and Federation of Hunters of Charente-Maritime (FDC17).

After days spent discussing waterbirds in meeting rooms, delegates stretched their legs under sunny skies, watching migratory species such as the black-winged stilt, Kentish plover, common redshank, shelduck, avocet, and bluethroat. They also learned about the history of the region, with economies underpinned by salt production and oyster harvesting. They returned refreshed, if slightly sunburned, for the final day of negotiations on Friday.

Visit the web coverage for Thursday, 17 May.

Download the IISD RS summary and analysis of the meeting in English or French (available on Monday, 21 May).

AEWA MOP 5 convened for its third day in La Rochelle, France, on Wednesday, 16 May 2012.

Delegates discussed Single Species Action Plans and Species Management Plans, the implementation of the African Initiative, the adoption of the new Arabic translation of the Agreement and institutional arrangements.

During the afternoon, delegates convened in working groups on finance and administrative matters, and scientific and technical matters.

Visit the web coverage for Wednesday, 16 May.

Download the IISD RS daily report for Wednesday, 16 May, in English (in HTML or PDF format) or French (in HTML or PDF format).

AEWA MOP 5 convened for its second day in La Rochelle, France, on Tuesday, 15 May 2012.

Delegates considered the Implementation Review Process (IRP), the report on International Implementation Tasks (IIT), the Wings Over Wetlands (WOW) Project, and reports from the Standing and Technical Committees, Depositary and Secretariat.

During the afternoon, delegates discussed finance and administrative matters, proposals for amendments to the agreement, institutional arrangements, and then convened in working groups on finance and administrative matters, and scientific and technical matters.

Visit the web coverage for Tuesday, 15 May.

Download the IISD RS daily report for Tuesday, 15 May, in English (in HTML or PDF format) or French (in HTML or PDF format).

The fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP 5) to the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) convened for its first day in La Rochelle, France, on Monday, 14 May 2012, under the theme of “Migratory waterbirds and people - sharing wetlands.” During the morning plenary, delegates heard opening addresses by: Sabrina Laconi, Deputy Mayor of La Rochelle; Beatrice Abollivier, Prefect of Charente-Maritime; Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador for the Environment, France. Participants also witnessed the 2012 AEWA Waterbird Conservation Awards Ceremony. The awards recognize individuals and institutions for contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of waterbirds. Delegates also heard a keynote address by Bart Ebbinge, Chair of the Goose Specialist Group, on managing increasing goose populations. Delegates then considered organizational matters: they elected officers, adopted the agenda and work programme, established a credentials committee, and admitted observers.

During the afternoon, delegates heard opening statements, considered outcomes of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) relevant to AEWA, discussed implementation of the AEWA Strategic Plan, and addressed National Reports and Online Reporting Processes. In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the French Ministry of Sustainable Development.

Visit the web coverage for Monday, 14 May.

Download the IISD RS daily report for Monday, 14 May, in English (in HTML or PDF format) or French (in HTML or PDF format).