ICLEI’s Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC) has proudly joined the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) as its 42nd partner. According to EAAFP, ICLEI CBC brings a vital perspective to the Partnership, addressing a critical gap in the protection of migratory waterbirds within urban wetlands along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.
The EAAFP plays a crucial role in safeguarding one of the world’s most important migratory routes, connecting a diverse network of actors — from governments and site managers to scientists, civil society, and local communities — under a shared vision of ecological connectivity, cooperation and conservation. ICLEI CBC’s inclusion strengthens the Partnership’s capacity to support wetlands within cities, which are increasingly vital stopover points and habitats for migratory birds along the Flyway.
Already an active partner in the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity, ICLEI CBC advances its work in this areas through the Journeys for Life initiative — mobilizing cities situated along migratory routes to share experiences, implement restoration actions, and build resilience for both biodiversity and communities.
This year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme, “Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” reinforces the message that cities are not only homes for people, but vital havens for wildlife too. ICLEI CBC’s new partnership with the EAAFP comes at a pivotal time to inspire and coordinate local action to protect migratory waterbirds.
“We are delighted to be officially welcomed as a member of this valuable partnership,” says Kobie Brand, Global Director of ICLEI CBC. “We are already collaborating with many of the EAAFP partners, including IUCN, WWF, BirdLife International and the International Crane Foundation, but this formal partnership deepens our commitment to making cities part of the solution. Together, we can ensure migratory birds continue to find sanctuary in our urban wetlands — for generations to come.”
