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| ABOUT |
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Goals:
- Distribute and disseminate substantive information on avian influenza and the environment with a particular focus on migratory birds;
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Offer a global and comprehensive perspective (involving input from several organisations/experts) on AI and migratory birds;
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Raise awareness and educate different stakeholders on the role of migratory birds in the current spread of AI (including the media, policy makers, and the general public among others);
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Provide a medium through which to maintain and consolidate UNEP/CMS and FAO's effort in bringing together the TF and sharing its specialized knowledge with the global community.
Development:
AIWEb was developed for the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds following the AI seminar held at UNEP Headquaters in Nairobi, Kenya, 10-11 April 2006 by Julien Hortoneda (UNEP/DCPI), Catherine Beltrandi (UNEP/DCPI) and Florian Keil (UNEP/AEWA). The site was launched on 1 November 2006.
AIWEb is supported by a financial contribution from the Agency for Nature and Forests,
Flemish Government, Belgium. |
The Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds
The Task Force was established by the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in close cooperation with the Agreement on the Conservation of African Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) in August 2005 following concerns about the role of migratory birds as potential vectors of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus subtype H5N1. The FAO, originally an observer of the Task Force, became a full member in March 2007, and in June 2007, was acknowledged for its commitment and dedication to understanding the role of wild birds in the spread of HPAI H5N1 and was invited to co-convene and co-coordinate the Task Force with UNEP/CMS.
The Task Force aims to obtain the best scientific advice on the conservation impact of the spread of HPAI H5N1, including assessing the potential role of migratory birds as vectors of the virus. It has issued advice on the root causes of the spread of this disease and has promoted the development of international early-warning systems. The Task Force promotes objective information on the role of wild birds as vectors of HPAI H5N1, and aims to avoid over-reaction by decision/policy makers that could be detrimental to the conservation of waterbird species and their habitats.
The Task Force comprises representatives and observers from 15 international organisations, including four UN bodies, specialist non-governmental organisations, and individual experts.
Task Force members:
- AEWA, the UNEP African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement
- Birdlife International
- CBD, the UNEP Convention on Biological Diversity
- CIC, the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
- CMS, the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species
- FAO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
- ISDR, the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
- Ramsar, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
- Wetlands International
- WCS, the Wildlife Conservation Society
- WWT, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
- ZSL, the Zoological Society of London
Task Force observers:
- OIE, the World Organisation for Animal Health
- UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme
- WHO, the World Health Organisation
For a descrition of the Task Force member and observer organisations visit the Partners page. |
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| © Avian Influenza Task Force |
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