Waterbirds agreement: Cameroon’s adhesion solicited

The Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of Relations with the Islamic World, Adoum Gargoum on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 had discussions with the Executive Secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), Dr Jacques Trouvilliez who came to solicit Cameroon’s adhesion to the initiative. The discussions took place at the Ministry of External Relations.

Dr Jacques Trouvilliez told the press after the talks that the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), was an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago.

He said Cameroon with over 100 waterbird species due to its wetlands that stretch from Lake Chad to the mangroves in the coastal part of the country can play an essential role in the protection of the birds. The waterbirds, he further said, were a source of livelihood to the local population.

However, they are facing threats due to climate change and demographic pressure. As such, ensuring the sustainable conservation and management of the birds would help in improving the livelihoods of the population.