Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (UNEP/AEWA) are set to agree on new actions to protect the 255 species protected under the treaty during their sixth meeting to be held from 9 – 14 November 2015 at the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany.

The Agreement aims to conserve migratory waterbirds along the African-Eurasian Flyway such as the African Penguin, Atlantic Puffin, Grey-crowned Crane, White Stork, Lesser Flamingo, Shoebill as well as groups of seabirds. During their annual migrations, the birds travel vast distances across Africa, Europe and parts of Asia.

Aside from agreeing on urgently-needed conservation actions, governments will also discuss measures to address potential threats to migratory birds such as renewable energy technology, illegal killing, marine fisheries as well as climate change adaptation measures for waterbirds.

The conference will bring together 200 participants from more than 70 countries as well as the EU, observer States and representatives from intergovernmental agencies and NGOs.

AEWA – which is administered by UNEP – is the largest regional instrument of its kind concluded under the Convention on Migratory Species and celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2015. In recent years, several single species action plans have been put in place for the most endangered species covered by the instrument.

AEWA has also recently begun developing international species management plans, such as those for countries which share the Svalbard Pink-footed Goose population. The plan contributes towards reconciling conflicting the interests of conservationists, hunters and farmers and is seen as an effective tool for conservation and sustainable use.

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As part of Geneva Peace Week, UNEP is organising a high-level panel discussion on 17 November with leading international experts to debate the findings of a new report and reflect on the speakers’ personal experiences in mediating and resolving natural resource conflicts.

The report, produced together with the UN’s Department of Political Affairs (UNDPA), is titled ‘Natural Resources and Conflict: A Guide for Mediation Practitioners’ and draws together lessons learned and good practices from 40 leading natural resource mediators on the resolution of conflicts linked to extractive resources, land and water.

Speakers at the event will include UNOG Director General Michael Møller; Päivi Kairamo, Ambassador of Finland to the United Nations in Geneva and Alan Doss, Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation and former Special Representative to the Secretary General in DR Congo and Liberia.

Also speaking are Michael Brown, Senior natural resources specialist and mediation expert, Professor of Practice in Natural Resources Conflict Mediation at McGill University; Isabelle Brissette, Risks and Human Rights Manager at Rio Tinto and the Deputy Director-General of Interpeace Renée Larivière.

The need for discussion and debate on mediating natural resource conflicts has never been greater. Over the last 60 years, up to 60% of all civil wars have had a link to natural resources.

While all major peace agreements between 2005 and 2014 contained provisions on natural resources, conflicts associated with natural resources are more likely to relapse during the first five years of the peace agreement, making effective provisions on natural resources crucial.

The high-level panel discussion will take place from 15:00 to 17:00 (followed by refreshments) in Room VII of the Palais des Nations. Seating for the event is limited so please register early to secure your place.

Please send your name and affiliation by email to amanda.kron@unep.org no later than 13/11/2015 COB. Registration is essential to obtain security clearance for the Palais.

Geneva Peace Week will be celebrated from 16-20 November and includes 41 events such as training sessions, exhibitions and conferences. It involves around 50 institutions and is facilitated by UN offices in the Swiss city together with the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.

For more information please contact sophie.brown@unep.org