UNEP GEF PORTFOLIO OUTLOOK AND EVOLUTION THE EXPERIENCE OF UNEP GEF AND PARTNERS IN FLYWAY CONSERVATION BIODIVERSITY ISSUE PAPER BD/001 Copyright © 2009, United Nations Environment Programme - Division of Global Environment Suggested citation: Facility Coordination (UNEP/DGEF) The Experience of UNEP GEF and Partners in Flyway Conservation, 2009. UNEP GEF Portfolio Outlook Disclaimers: and Evolution. Biodiversity Issue Paper The content and views expressed in this publication do not necessarily refl ect the views or policies of BD/001. UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya. the contributory organizations or the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and neither do they imply any endorsement. 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Contributing authors: Leon Bennun, Gerard Boere, Tim CONTENTS Reproduction: Dodman, Max Zieren, Jonathan Barnard, Ward Hagemeijer, Camillo This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profi t Ponziani, James Harris, Taej Mundkur, purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, provided acknowledgment of the source Claire Mirande, Umberto Gallo-Orsi, FOREWORD p.6 is made. UNEP would appreciate receiving a copy of any publication that uses this publication as a Bert Lenten, Sergey Dereliev, Florian source. Keil, Douglas Hykle, Francisco Rilla, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY p.7 Nick Davidson No use of this publication may be made for resale or any other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from UNEP. Applications for such permission, with a statement of purpose DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE p.9 and intent of the reproduction, should be addressed to the Division of Communications and Public Contributing agencies: Information (DCPI), UNEP, P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi 00100, Kenya. UNEP / GEF ACHIEVEMENTS IN GEF 3 & 4 p.9 UNOPS International Crane Foundation The use of information from this publication concerning proprietary products for publicity or advertising INTERNATIONAL ENABLING p.13 Convention on Migratory Species is not permitted. ENVIRONMENT African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Ramsar Convention on Wetlands MAIN LESSONS LEARNED p.14 Produced by: BirdLife International United Nations Environment Programme Wetlands International Division of Global Environment Facility Coordination THE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE p.30 Biodiversity & Natural Resources Unit OF UNEP P.O. Box 30552 (00100) Layout & design: OUTLINE OF POSSIBLE NEW p.30 Nairobi, Kenya Camillo Ponziani GEF INITIATIVES Visit us on the web: www.unep.org For additional information ANNEX I: LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS p.33 please visit: ANNEX II: RELEVANT BACKGROUND p.34 www.unep.org DOCUMENTS www.wingsoverwetlands.org www.scwp.info Printed on recycled, acid-free paper © Jonathan Barnard, BirdLife International (Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands) © Jonathan Barnard, BirdLife International Biodiversity Issue Paper BD/001: The Experience of UNEP GEF and Partners in Flyway Conservation Biodiversity Issue Paper BD/001: The Experience of UNEP GEF and Partners in Flyway Conservation ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS PARTNERS AND DONORS AEWA African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement The drafting of this issue paper has been a highly participatory and collaborative process, in which many CMS Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals partners and donors have been engaged. COP Conference of the Parties CSN Critical Site Network EA Executing Agency EAAFP East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FWG Flyway Working Group GEF Global Environment Facility GIS Geographical Information System IA Implementing Agency ICF International Crane Foundation IIT International Implementation Tasks IT Information Technology LULUCF Land Use, Land Use Change and Forests M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MEA Multi-lateral Environmental Agreements MOP Meeting of the Parties MOU Memorandum of Understanding MTE Mid-Term Evaluation NEA National Executing Agency NGO Non Governmental Organisation PIR Project Implementation Report RAF Resource Allocation Framework SCWP Siberian Crane Wetland Project SMART Specifi c Measurable Achievable Realistic and Time-bound TOR Terms of Reference UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNOPS United Nations Offi ce for Project Services UN-REDD United Nations programme for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation USA United States of America UNEP WCMC World Conservation Monitoring Centre WHSRN Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network WOW Wings Over Wetlands (UNEP/GEF African-Eurasian Flyways Project) Page 4 Page 5 Biodiversity Issue Paper BD/001: The Experience of UNEP GEF and Partners in Flyway Conservation Biodiversity Issue Paper BD/001: The Experience of UNEP GEF and Partners in Flyway Conservation groups as well as to trans-boundary conservation FOREWORD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY issues in general. The two projects are rather different, and comple- mentary, in their scope and emphasis. The African- The “Flyway Approach” has become a key concept strengthened among key stakeholders, as a result Two major regional initiatives1 focusing on the Eurasian Flyways Project (‘Wings over Wetlands’, guiding the development of international initiatives of this and other recent efforts supported by the fl yway-level conservation of migratory birds and or WOW) covers a wide range of countries, with for fl yway-scale conservation covering many dif- UNEP GEF: a good sign and a reason for optimism their habitats are currently being successfully a strong focus on developing regional tools with ferent migratory bird species in many parts of the on the validity and potential of the fl yway conser- implemented by UNEP GEF in collaboration with broad applicability. The Siberian Crane Wetland world. vation approach. a wide range of partners, all of whom have Project (SCWP) covers four countries along two contributed to the development of this paper.2 main fl yways, showing how more focused fl yway For the past several years, these international ef- The way ahead is complex, and challenges are These initiatives cover over 122 countries, with efforts – still spanning large distances but involv- forts to conserve migratory waterbirds have been increasingly diffi cult in the face of climate change direct fi eld activities at more than 28 sites span- ing smaller numbers of countries and bird species given an unprecedented boost through the WOW and increased human-induced pressures on our ning 16 countries. We draw upon lessons learned – can achieve outcomes that may be diffi cult for Project and the Siberian Crane Wetland Project. planet. so far in the design and implementation of these more complex and diverse projects. The results of two innovative projects, not only as a basis for both projects provide valuable lessons on the way Both have become a model internationally for fl y- Our direction is also increasingly clear, and new the consolidation of experiences, but also for the forward with fl yway conservation initiatives. way initiatives in other regions showing how “The “fl yway” projects are already on the drawing expansion of this important area of biodiversity Flyway Approach” can be put into practice. These board for possible future funding by GEF and other and habitat conservation work. Notwithstanding Important new conservation tools are being projects are a unique example of the broad part- donors, on the basis of our recent experience. the focus on fl yways and migratory birds, there generated by both projects. The “Critical Site nerships that characterise UNEP’s support to multi- are some important lessons learned that are It is our hope that these initiatives will lead to Network Tool” contributes to improving our con- national efforts in the conservation of biodiversity quite relevant also to other migratory species servation planning capacity at the local, national and natural resources further investments in the wise-use of wetland resources and to better conservation of migratory The UNEP GEF team is committed to continue to waterbirds worldwide. support this approach, and the commendable efforts of all stakeholders in fl yway conservation. We look forward to avenues for consolidating and expanding the scope of this and other recent successful fl yway Maryam Niamir-Fuller conservation initiatives in our UNEP GEF project GEF Executive Coordinator and Director portfolio. We are also glad to note that existing Division of Global Environment Facility Coordination fl yway conservation partnerships are being United Nations Environment Programme © Camillo Ponziani (Namga-Kokorou Complex, Niger) (Namga-Kokorou © Camillo Ponziani © Gábor Simay (Ferruginous Duck) © Gábor Simay (Ferruginous 1. Namely: the UNEP/GEF “Siberian Crane Wetland” Project and the UNEP/GEF “African-Eurasian Flyways” Project. 2. A third GEF Flyways project – the “Migratory Soaring Birds” project is executed by BirdLife International through UNDP. This is not formally part of