In a landmark moment for global biodiversity, the World Bank and BirdLife International have launched the African–Eurasian Flyway Initiative (AEFI) — an unprecedented effort to protect one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: the annual migration of billions of birds linking Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The announcement, described by SPNL’s Director General Assad Serhal as “a historic initiative for our majestic creatures, for the health of planet Earth, and for all life,” was met with great enthusiasm across the global BirdLife family, including Lebanon’s Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and its network of Hima communities.
“Birds connect us all across our fences, borders, challenges, and obstacles,” said Serhal. “They are the force behind the miracle of migration — crossing continents and bringing humanity together through shared skies and shared responsibility.”
A Global Alliance for the Flyways
The new initiative, signed at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C., aims to scale up conservation efforts across the African–Eurasian Flyway (AEF) — a migratory superhighway stretching from the Arctic tundra to the southern tip of Africa. This route is used by more than 2 billion migratory birds representing over 500 species, connecting ecosystems and communities across three continents.
By conserving critical stopover sites — wetlands, forests, farmlands, and coastal habitats — the AEFI will safeguard biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods of people who depend on these landscapes.
“Migratory birds provide essential ecosystem services and hold significant economic and cultural value,” said Juergen Voegele, the World Bank’s Vice President for Planet. “The conservation and protection of their habitats drive economic opportunities — birdwatching alone is projected to become a $95 billion industry by 2030.”
BirdLife International’s CEO Martin Harper added:
“Using birds as our compass, we unite conservation across borders to protect flyways from beginning to end. Migratory birds’ plight is the planet’s plight.”
Lebanon’s Role on the Flyway: A Bridge Between Continents
Lebanon, positioned along the African–Eurasian Flyway, is a key resting, feeding, and breeding stop for millions of migratory birds each year. Through its network of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBBAs) and the Hima community model, SPNL has been a pioneer in combining conservation with community empowerment.
Serhal saluted the joint efforts of Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, and Internal Security Forces, noting that their cooperation in combating illegal bird killing is vital to ensuring a safe passage for migratory birds across Lebanese skies.
“This agreement is one to be remembered and cherished by all of us — and for generations to come,” said Serhal. “It honors the dedication of our Homat Al Hima — the guardians of nature — and reinforces Lebanon’s role as a vital bridge for life between continents.”
From Local to Global: The Power of Partnership
The AEFI is expected to mobilize billions of dollars over the coming decade to fund the restoration and sustainable management of bird habitats. The initiative builds upon BirdLife’s century-long science-based conservation network of 123 partners in 119 countries, connecting more than 12,000 IBBAs worldwide.
For Lebanon, the announcement is a reaffirmation of the values that SPNL has championed for decades: community-led conservation, coexistence with nature, and the shared stewardship of migratory routes.
A Shared Sky, a Shared Future
From the wetlands of Anjar and Aammiq, to the mountains of Kayfoun and Kornayel, Lebanon’s landscapes echo the message behind this new initiative — that the survival of migratory birds mirrors the survival of our planet’s ecosystems.
As Serhal concluded, “Birds connect us — across all our differences, they remind us that nature has no borders.”
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