With the definitive signatures of Sweden and France in October and the ratification of Germany in December, the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement has reached the necessary 7 ratifications from Eurasia. However, the same number is necessary from African countries as well before it can enter into force. The Agreement's Interim Secretariat continues its intense activities to encourage signatory countries to speed up their ratification processes. Everything is being planned so that the Agreement will enter into force in time for it to hold its First Meeting of the Parties in November 1999, in South Africa, back-to-back with COP6, the 6th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (see calendar of events).

At the same time, the Interim Secretariat and the Government of the Netherlands have developed some promotional material (including a series of postcards and a specific stamp) to help raise awareness about the existence of the AEWA, its goals and objectives, and also about the importance of waterbirds and their conservation.