The issue of avian influenza has been of increasing concern because of the potential grave implications for the global animal and human health sectors, the economic and development sectors and the conservation sectors, including migratory waterbirds and their habitats. Strategies for responding to the threat of this disease are being developed around the globe.

CMS has established an international Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds to prioritise action. CMS recognizes the urgent need for the sharing of flyway scale migration information on wild waterbirds. However, in the CAF region it is currently not readily available and this needs flyway wide-attention and cooperation.

CMS has proposed to the Range States to make this an additional implementation priority for CAF in order to provide the basis to develop a flyway level project as soon as possible. It will work closely work with Wetlands International and other bodies to develop a suitable project