In early May the Partnership Chair (Australian Government) accepted the offer by Wetlands International - Oceania to host the Secretariat for the Flyway Partnership until the 3rd meeting of Partners. Wetlands International - Oceania has contracted Ms Maki Koyama to be the Secretariat working under the guidance of the Partnership Chair.
Ms Koyama has been involved in a number of activities relevant to the position. She was involved in organizing a meeting to develop the EAAF Partnership in 2004 at Seosan, Korea. She has also been involved in various CITES meetings in the 1990s either as a staff member of the CITES Secretariat or part of the delegation of the Japanese Government.
In the lead up to the next Meeting of Partners Ms Koyama will be in communication with Partners and assist in facilitating the work of people involved in this Flyway Partnership leading up to the next MoP.
The USA representative to the EAAF Partnership, Dr Kent Wohl has retired from US Fish & Wildlife Service. A replacement representative to the partnership has yet to be appointed.
In retiring as a participant in the EAAF Partnership a replacement for the Chairmanship of the Seabird Working Group will also need to be appointed.
Dr Lew Young is the newly appointed Senior Advisor for Asia-Oceania at the Ramsar Convention Secretariat. Many people will know Dr Young from his work at the WWF Sir Peter Scott Education Centre at Mai Po and from his many years of chairing the Shorebird Working Group. He will continue working closely with us but from different perspective.
Although he is likely to be very busy travelling we hope he will still have time to enjoy life in Switzerland and local delicacies, such as fondue and fillets de perch!
The Australian Government called for proposals to develop project concept materials for the Flyway Partnership. Wetlands International - China Office was appointed to coordinate. Peter Novak from WI-China is contacting interested Parties to assist with ideas. Please support Peter in this new and exciting venture!
Avifauna Research & Services in Australia (ARS) were awarded the contract to design and establish a website for the EAAF Partnership. ARS will also maintain the website in association with the Secretariat until the end of 2008.
Part of the website is a news page 'What's new' interesting news associated with the Partnership activities are welcome. Please send stories or reports to