UK announces vital funds for waterbird work at COP15
The British government announced today at the Convention on Wetlands COP15 in Zimbabwe that it was investing significant funds in waterbird work as well as the work of the Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP).
This contribution includes GBP85,000 for updating of the Waterbird Population Estimates.
Speaking at the conference in Victoria Falls, Coenraad Krijger, CEO, Wetlands International welcomed this vital donation:
“UK’s generous contribution highlights how critical waterbird work is for wetland protection and restoration under the Convention on Wetlands. It will help Wetlands International and our partners to kick-start the long overdue update of the Waterbird Population Estimates, as part of the new global Waterbird Estimates Partnership. This data and analysis is critical for enabling countries to manage existing Ramsar sites of International Importance and designate new sites based on waterbird criteria, as well as informing action under other biodiversity-related agreements.
Wetlands International commends the UK for this investment in waterbird science and also for funding the STRP to carry out important work related to Earth observation, which will enhance our collective understanding of critical wetland ecosystems and the increasing pressures they face. Together, these UK donations emphasise the importance of investing in the science underpinning the implementation of the Wetlands Convention, which is vital for wetlands work around the globe.”