2nd Virtual Meeting of the ITTEA and EAAFP Task Forces on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds

Far Easter Curlew ©Chairunas Adha Putra

Background 

The Asia Pacific Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force (ITTEA) (formerly: Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway) was established in line with the mandate provided by the Resolution 11.16 (Rev.COP14) The Prevention of Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds to assist the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and its associated instruments, relevant MEAs and Conventions to fulfil their obligations to protect migratory birds from illegal hunting, taking and trade. The ITTEA cooperates closely with the Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyways Partnership (EAAFP). 

Access the ITTEA Task Force webpage 

Objectives of the meeting  

In anticipation for the next official meeting of the ITTEA as an event preceding the EAAFP MOP12 in Cebu, Philippines in November 2025, this meeting will feature a presentation by Ms. Lisa Paguntalan (Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Fund, Inc.) on government-NGO collaborative efforts to address illegal taking of birds in the Central Philippines. A presentation and discussion on progress on the regional mistnets review will be delivered by Dr. Ding Li Yong (BirdLife International) and Ms. Rongrong Angkaew (King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand). 

Furthermore, the meeting will provide: 

Updates on activities and mandates of the EAAFP and the ITTEA to address illegal taking of migratory birds in the flyway; 

Information on Resolutions and Decisions of the 15th meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (to be held in Campo Grande, Brazil in March 2026) with relevance to illegal taking of migratory birds; 

Progress in implementation of CMS mandates on addressing illegal taking of birds in the Asia Pacific region as well as on addressing wildlife crime under a global scope with relevance to the region; 

Information on upcoming activities of the ITTEA Coordinator and CMS Secretariat in implementing the ITTEA Programme of Work; 

Sharing of information on recent work on illegal taking of birds from Task Force members and observers in an open discussion.