2024 Inter-Flyways Workshop

Have you ever seen a flock of birds flying across the sky last autumn?

You are not alone in this, as the flocks of migratory birds can be observed every year in spring and autumn. However, these birds are threatened, primarily by us.

The journey of migratory birds is impressive: From the farthest north of our planet to the southernmost point of the Earth, they cover distances ranging from Northern Europe to South Africa. How the animals maintain their overview and orientation during this journey is still a mystery to researchers. Recent findings suggest that the Earth's magnetic field plays an important role in the birds' sense of orientation. The number of these birds is also impressive: Approximately 4,000 of all bird species are migratory birds, embarking on a world tour year after year. In doing so, they make a significant contribution to our ecosystem by eating insects, spreading plant seeds, and serving as prey for other organisms. However, migratory birds are globally threatened by developments caused by us.

Natural hazards pose less risk than human interventions. We deprive birds of their natural habitats through land consumption, agriculture, or pollution. Power lines or open turbines pose further risks that birds must contend with. Effective measures are required from humanity to preserve the species diversity of these animals and to take responsibility for the consequences of development.

This view is shared by the participants of this year's Inter-Flyways Workshop on 10 February 2024, organized by the Hanns Seidel Foundation before CMS COP14. The aim was to discuss approaches, structures, mechanisms, and experiences regarding the protection of migratory bird routes and to improve the exchange between various initiatives. Options for the successful establishment of the Central Asia Flyway Initiative were also discussed.

Over 30 experts from various organizations and initiatives developed mechanisms and structures along the flight routes of migratory birds, similar to the Central Asian Flyway in Samarkand, to effectively promote the protection of the migratory birds.

Overall, the Inter-Flyways Workshop was a great success for the participants and the Hanns Seidel Foundation in improving the protection of migratory bird routes. However, continuous efforts are needed to protect the birds more effectively and ensure their contribution to our ecosystem. Therefore, the Hanns Seidel Foundation Korea and its partners, along with the workshop participants and many other dedicated individuals, continuously strive to protect them, so that we can continue to see flocks of birds flying across the sky.