Working Group on Flyways

The Flyways Working Group (FWG) was set up in late 2009 as an open-ended working group on global bird flyways within the framework of the Scientific Council to act as a think tank on flyways and frameworks (by the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP9) through Resolution 9.2, see Creation of the Working Group below for details) and has undertaken a range of activities listed under Achievements so far (see below for details).

Creation of the Working Group

The FWG’s establishment was guided by Resolution 9.2 (meanwhile superseded by Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP14)). The group’s activities are structured around mandates established for specific periods. The FWG is tasked it with reviewing scientific and technical issues for migratory birds conservation and evaluating relevant international instruments, initiatives and processes, to inform future CMS policy on flyways and contributing to overarching CMS processes, as relevant, as an advisory body in the framework of the Scientific Council. Successive COPs expanded and reinforced its role:

  • COP10: Resolution 10.10 Guidance On Global Flyway Conservation And Options For Policy Arrangements commended the FWG’s efforts over the last triennium, called for its continuation to COP11, and urged Parties to provide resources for this work.
  • COP11: Resolution 11.14 Programme of Work on Migratory Birds and Flyways extended the FWG’s mandate to COP12 and outlined activities to be undertaken.
  • COP12: Resolution 12.11 Flyways superseded earlier resolutions, providing a comprehensive roadmap for action during intersessional periods. The associated POW (see Annex I of the Resolution) formed the basis for activities undertaken.
  • COP13: Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP13) Flyways extended the FWG’s mandate to COP14.
  • COP14: Resolution12.11 (Rev.COP14) Flyways  outlines the current FWG mandate, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and targeted conservation efforts.

Scope

The FWG addresses flyways of all migratory bird species covered under CMS, including: Waterbirds; Seabirds and Landbirds, such as passerines, raptors, grassland, and forest birds.

Mandate

The Flyways Working Group mainly requires implementation of the following actions:

(a) monitor implementation of the POW and the Americas Flyways Framework

(b)  provide guidance on and input into the conservation and management of flyways at global and flyway level during the intersessional period until COP15,

(c) review relevant scientific and technical issues, international initiatives and processes, and

(d) review and update the POW (in 2020), as a basis for the continued prioritization of the CMS activities on flyways.

Membership

The FWG’s membership comprises experts on CMS-listed migratory bird species, individuals knowledgeable about and active in flyways, species, and habitat conservation, Representatives from the CMS Scientific Council, and key organizations and invited experts to enhance the group’s efforts.

Achievements so far

The FWG has delivered significant contributions to migratory bird conservation, including:

  1. Drafting  Resolution 11.14: Programme of Work (POW) on Migratory Birds and Flyways (2014–2023):
    • Adopted at COP11, provides a basis for CMS Parties, non-Parties and relevant stakeholders to work together to strengthen national and local capacity for flyway conservation.
  2. Drafted Americas Flyways Framework (AFF):
    • Adopted at COP11, to assist governments, non-profit organizations, research institutions, corporations and citizens in the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats in the Western Hemisphere.
  3. Drafted Resolution 10.10 Three major reviews published in CMS Technical Series No. 27, titled “A Review of Migratory Bird Flyways and Priorities for Management”:
      • Review 1: Analyzed existing CMS and non-CMS administrative arrangements.
      • Review 2: Analyzed current knowledge of bird flyways, principal knowledge gaps and conservation priorities.
      • Review 3: Analyzed policy options for migratory bird flyways
  • These reviews were adopted at COP10.

These achievements have significantly advanced global efforts to conserve migratory birds and their flyways.

Key meetings and outcomes

From 2010- 2024 three meetings (FWG1-FWG3) has been held and key outcomes and documents produced and endorsed by the members can be found in respective webpages (FWG1,FWG2 and FWG3). The Forth FWG meeting will be held online via MS Teams on Tuesday 18 February 2025.

Formation of Thematic Sub-Groups

To address key conservation priorities, the FWG established thematic sub-groups to deliver effective solutions for migratory bird conservation:

  • At the Third FWG Meeting (April 2024), task teams were formed to focus on: i) Seabirds; ii) Review of the Global Programme of Work (POW), and Gaps and Priorities; iii) Collaboration with Other Instruments and Platforms and Hubs.

 

 

 

Type:
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Instrument:
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Type:
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