First meeting of the Asia-Pacific Working Group on Migratory Waterbirds and Avian Influenza

The first meeting of the Asia-Pacific Working Group on Migratory Waterbirds and Avian Influenza was organized on 16 and 17 November 2007 in Beijing, at the International Bamboo and Rattan Hotel. The meeting was attended by representatives from 12 countries and 2 international organisations and 6 observer governments and 6 observer international organisations. Funding for the meeting was received from the Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (GAINS) of wild birds to Wetlands International and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United
Nations. The meeting was organized as a follow up to the 2nd Meeting of the East Asian - Australasian Flyway (EAAF) Partnership. The goal of the Meeting was to establish a regional network of management agencies and organizations of Asia-Pacific that facilitates collaboration on research and monitoring of Avian
Influenza (AI) in wild waterbirds. The specific objectives were to: (a) build a network of researchers involved in waterbird migration and AI research and monitoring; (b) gain an overview of the role of key waterbird researchers in AI preparedness and response, planning and implementation; (c) compile information on AI surveillance in live and dead wild birds; (d) develop strategies to increase coordination of waterbird migration research; and (e) Promote the development of a coordinated strategy for AI surveillance in wild birds. A draft work plan for 2008 was constructed.