With Leica as Champion for Waterbird Conservation
The 9th Meeting of the Parties (MOP9) to the Agreement on the Conservation of African–Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) concluded in Bonn on 14 November 2025, bringing together more than 160 delegates from 64 countries. Under the theme United for Flyways, Parties adopted key decisions to strengthen waterbird conservation, from updated species action plans to renewed commitments on seabird protection, habitat management, and public awareness.
A central reference point throughout the meeting was the newly released 9th Conservation Status Report (CSR9), which highlighted major pressures on migratory waterbirds – especially unsustainable resource use, infrastructure development, and agricultural expansion – and outlined science-based priorities for recovery.
Leica: Champion for Migratory Waterbirds
As main Sponsor and Champion under the Migratory Species Champion Programme, Leica Camera AG was honoured for its outstanding contributions to waterbird monitoring along the African-Eurasian Flyways. Through a three-year partnership with AEWA, Leica has supported the Waterbird Fund and provided cutting-edge optical equipment to monitoring teams across Africa and Eurasia.
“Leica Camera AG is deeply honoured to be awarded as Champion under the Migratory Species Champion Programme. Safeguarding migratory waterbirds is a shared responsibility, and we are proud to support AEWA’s vital monitoring efforts. Through our long-standing tradition of optical innovation, we remain committed to equipping the conservation community with the tools they need to protect these species for generations to come.” – Leica Camera AG
Key Outcomes of MOP9
- Updated AEWA Annexes to reflect the latest population trends, including new categories for extinct and depleted populations.
- Extended Strategic Plan (2019–2027) to MOP10, reinforcing priorities such as sustainable harvest, habitat protection, and invasive species management.
- Revised International Species Action Plans, including for Taiga Bean Goose and the Svalbard Pink-footed Goose.
- Stronger action on seabird conservation, addressing bycatch, illegal take, invasive predators, and the impacts of sea-level rise.
- Updated conservation guidelines, including ecotourism and site management tools for practitioners.
- A renewed CEPA (Communication, Education and Public Awareness) vision, supporting outreach along the flyways, including in Africa via the AEWA African Initiative.
Innovation and Collaboration Across Flyways
Side events showcased emerging technologies and community-driven solutions – from AI-assisted waterbird counts in West Africa, to One Health cooperation on avian influenza, to the European Goose Management Platform’s tenth anniversary of adaptive management.
Looking Ahead
The meeting closed with a tribute to outgoing Executive Secretary Dr Jacques Trouvilliez, recognising his 11 years of leadership. AEWA Parties also noted the sobering extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew – a reminder of what is at stake.
The next AEWA Meeting of the Parties (MOP10) is scheduled for 2028, with an expression of interest from the Kingdom of Eswatini to host.
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