Norway hosts the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Bonn Convention

The Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development will be hosting the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Bonn Convention in Bergen from 20 - 25 November this year. With nearly 400 delegates from 100 nations, this will be one of the largest meetings on the environment ever held in Norway.

The Bonn Convention is a global agreement under the United Nations' environment programme, established for the conservation of migratory species of wild animals. The agreement concerns the administration and sustainable use of migrating species and their habitats. The Convention, with its sub-agreements, is therefore very important for international cooperation on this subject - particularly for developing countries.

"I am happy that Norway has been given the assignment of organising this meeting. Migratory animals cross vast distances, and it is our common responsibility to protect them and their habitats. We have a responsibility to conserve the species that migrate within our borders. We also have a responsibility to ensure that other countries are empowered to take care of their own species and their habitats", says Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and International Development.

Migratory species are dependent on different habitats in various stages of their life cycles. Consequently they are even more vulnerable than other species. Many of the species covered by the Bonn Convention are also very vulnerable to climate changes, for example species residing in the Arctic for part of their life cycle.

 
"The Bonn Convention clearly shows the need for global cooperation, and contributes to the protection of a worldwide network of habitats for migratory species. Such species will not be adequately protected unless there is a joint global effort to do so, and this is a good example of the UN playing an important and effective role", says Solheim.

More attention to greenhouse gas emissions

"The Arctic is facing large and rapid changes as a result of climate changes. Melting of the sea ice, altering of ocean currents and changes in the nutrient basis may have serious consequences for many species, i.e. whales and seabirds nesting in the Arctic. Reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases is therefore vital  in order to conserve habitats crucial to these species", says Solheim.

 
In addition to reducing the global greenhouse gas emissions, it is also necessary to protect important habitats, for example through actions to prevent illegal hunting and protect breeding areas. Cooperation with other nature conservation conventions, particularly the Ramsar Convention, is important.

"Species migrate across borders, but also across various national jurisdictions, interests and political priorities, in addition to international waters without any national jurisdiction. This makes it particularly important to share responsibility for these species. The Bonn Convention provides framework conditions for working together towards a common goal. With its sub-agreements, it is the only UN Convention dedicated to conserving migratory species across their entire habitats", says Solheim.

The main topic and title of the conference is 'Networking for Migratory Species' - on the importance of a network for migratory species in relation to cooperation between countries, and establishing a network of habitats for migratory species. Important resolutions to be considered involve the climate, ecological networks and electrocution.
 

Background for the convention

There are currently at least 8-10,000 migratory species, which means that they migrate regularly and predictably over large distances. A migratory species may be anything from antelope to turtles, whales, elephants, bats and birds. In Norway we have, for example, the lesser white-fronted goose, several species of bats, eagles and owls all of which are dependent on different habitats at different stages of the life cycle, making them even more vulnerable than non-migratory species.
 
Common threats such as illegal hunting and fishing, by-catch, destruction of habitats, construction of roads, power lines, pollution, etc., pose an even greater threat to species dependent on several habitats to survive. One example is the lesser white-fronted goose nesting in Finnmark County, Norway. It takes a detour via Russia (if nesting in Finnmark fails), before going south to the Mediterranean. The lesser white-fronted goose is a globally threatened species, partly due to unintentional and illegal hunting. Norway has worked actively to protect the lesser white-fronted goose, for example through the development of a specific action plan for this bird.

 
So far 116 countries have joined the convention - from Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The countries do not have to be signatories to the main convention to join agreements under the convention. So far, Norway participates in four of a total of 25 sub-agreements: The Water Bird Agreement (AEWA), The Bat Agreement (Eurobats), The Albatross Agreement (ACAP) and the Agreement on Birds of Prey. The agreements vary from legally binding agreements to less formal instruments, such as action plans.

The convention is a framework agreement where the parties primarily bind themselves to protect listed species and their habitats. In addition, it is desirable that the parties develop separate action plans for groups of species, with specific measures.

List I consists of species which are endangered and require immediate protection (entire species or individual populations). The member countries pledge to ensure protection of the species and their habitats through strict conservation measures (in the respective countries). The list also includes four species of whale and three bird species residing in Norway.

List II consists of species with a disadvantageous preservation status, which need international cooperation to ensure proper protection, and binds the member countries to establish regional agreements for conservation and management of the species. CMS list I and II.

The Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management is the Norwegian administrative authority both for the Bonn Convention and for agreements under the Convention.