How to protect wildlife from avian flu in UNESCO World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar sites
Virtual Event, 19/04/2024
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as bird flu, is causing significant mortality of wild birds and mammals worldwide, requiring authorities to take action to curb its spread. Previously affecting mostly domestic poultry, the virus has become a major risk for wildlife, including in UNESCO World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar sites recognised internationally for their importance to nature conservation.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and its CMS FAO Co-convened Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds, and the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, together with the International Union for Conservation of Nature are jointly organising a series of regional webinars on avian influenza and protected areas.
The webinars will:
- increase visibility for the impacts of avian Influenza on wildlife in conservation areas of global importance;
- present scientific resources, policy recommendations and practical guidance from various sources including the CMS FAO Co-convened Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds;
- share experiences from affected World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar sites.
The first webinar is held on Friday, 19 April 2024 at 15:00 - 17:30 CET / 09:00 - 11:30 GMT-5, targeting authorities and managers of internationally designated sites in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. During the webinar, English and Spanish translation will be available.
The second webinar will target Europe and Africa, and the third Asia and the Pacific Region. The timing of the second and third webinar will be announced soon. Registered participants can join any session of their interest.
If you have any questions, please contact the Natural Heritage Unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre at [email protected].
The webinars are organized with the financial support of the Swiss Federal Office for Environment (FOEN).