29 August 2012: The 11th Meeting of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) Technical Committee (TC) convened in Accra, Ghana, from 27-30 August 2012, and collected input from working groups on implementing the tasks outlined in the Work Plan for 2012-2015. The Technical Committee is AEWA’s body providing scientific and technical advice and information to the Meeting of the Parties and, through the Agreement Secretariat, to the signatory countries of AEWA.

The meeting was hosted by the Forestry Commission of Ghana-Wildlife Division, and attended by experts and observers from 16 countries. Ten working groups, covering issues relating to hunting and trade, impact of climate change, disturbance, Single Species Action Plans, Conservation Guidelines, and other emerging issues, provided input on the Work Plan.

The meeting of the Committee was followed by a workshop to develop an Action Plan on migratory landbirds in the African-Eurasian region. The Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) organized the workshop, which took place from 31 August-2 September 2012. The landbirds workshop is based on CMS Resolution 10.27 “Improving the Conservation Status of Migratory Landbirds in the African Eurasian Region,” adopted by the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to CMS. [AEWA Press Release] [CMS Press Release]