10-11
May 2014
"Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism"
A healthy wildlife population is a key
asset for tourism. With the huge rise in the popularity of bird watching,
tourism developed around migratory birds can serve as a means for both
environmental and socio-economic sustainability equally beneficial for wildlife,
local communities and tourists alike.
For these reasons, the choice of the
theme, "Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism", for the
2014 World Migratory Bird Day is both timely and important. I thank the
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the
African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement for helping to demonstrate
innovative ways to protect biodiversity that links awareness-raising with
economic development, on-the-ground implementation and effective partnerships.
Our work in implementing the CBD
Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development, in close cooperation with,
among others, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United
Nations Environment Programme, and through the 10-year Framework of Programmes
on Sustainable Consumption and Production adopted at Rio + 20, has demonstrated
that promoting tourism and visitation during regular migrations of charismatic
species through beautiful protected areas can have the added effect of helping
us mobilize people to live in harmony with nature.
By encouraging travelers to make
responsible choices towards tourism linked to species protection, we not only
raise the awareness of tourists to the intrinsic beauty and value of
biodiversity, we help steer them towards sustainable consumption overall. In so
doing, we generate sustainable jobs and activities at the local level and help
promote local community development. The UNWTO’s “Destination Flyways” project
concept, currently being discussed in the UN Framework, aims to develop
sustainable tourism in destinations along the world’s major migratory bird
routes. It is sure to be an important asset in helping us build support for
protected areas, the protection of endangered species in key areas around the
world and for mobilizing partners.
Projects such as this highlight how
different partners from the UN system, civil society and national and local
governments, can come together to achieve the goals and mission of the
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Today I invite all of you to celebrate
this unique manifestation of life on earth. I look forward to hearing about the
experiences of people around the world who, through their participation in important
days such as this, come to better understand migratory species, ecosystems and
the importance of protecting biodiversity for the well-being of us all. That is
truly the future that we want.
