A multilateral MoU under the Bonn Convention uniting 22 states to protect the aquatic warbler, Europe's rarest songbird.
Key Facts
- Date concluded
- 30 April 2003
- Range states covered
- 22
- Signatories by Aug 2012
- 16 range states and 2 cooperating organizations
- Parent convention
- Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn Convention)
- Species protected
- Aquatic Warbler (Europe's rarest songbird)
By the Numbers
Cause → Event → Consequence
The aquatic warbler faced severe population decline across its European and African range, prompting concern among governments, conservation NGOs, and scientists. Its status as Europe's rarest songbird made coordinated international action necessary, as the species crosses multiple national boundaries during migration.
On 30 April 2003, a Memorandum of Understanding for the Conservation of the Aquatic Warbler was concluded under the auspices of the CMS (Bonn Convention). It established a framework covering 22 range states across Europe and Africa, enabling joint action among governments, NGOs, and the scientific community.
By August 2012, 16 of the 22 range states and two cooperating organizations had formally signed the MoU, creating a legal and cooperative basis for coordinated habitat protection, research, and conservation measures for the aquatic warbler across its full migratory range.
Political Outcome
MoU concluded under the Bonn Convention, establishing a cooperative framework for aquatic warbler conservation across 22 range states; 16 states and 2 organizations had signed by August 2012.