via Zoom.

In July 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the regional knowledge and support technical assistance (KSTA) on Scaling Up the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) Initiative. The EAAF is one of 8 major flyways for migratory birds worldwide, recognized for its globally important biodiversity values and critical ecosystem services, and also the most threatened due to the large-scale loss and degradation of its coastal, interltidal and freshwater wetland habitats.

The technical assistance adds to long-term, sustained efforts in protecting and managing wetlands along the EAAF. During implementation, it aims to: (i) enhance institutional capacity for understanding wetland values; (ii) develop a methodology for priority site selection and a Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) investment framework; and (iii) develop an RFI sustainable financing mechanism. The TA is expected to result in a portfolio of viable nature-positive investments that enhances wetland biodiversity conservation and sustains socio-economic co-benefits at the highest priority sites.

Following the formal launch of the Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) at the CBD COP 15 and UNFCCC COP 26, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), BirdLife International (BLI), and East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) convened this virtual inception workshop to present the RFI’s goals, deliverables and timelines, while soliciting stakeholder inputs to shape its development.

The agenda aimed to draw valuable insights on:

• Country readiness and capacity development needs (e.g., for identification and measurement of co-benefits in sustainable wetland management)
• Framework application on site selection
• Co-benefit evaluations, particularly on climate change and other ecosystem services
• Situational appreciation (e.g., anchoring deliverables in country planning, such as NDC commitments and post-Covid 19 rehabilitation)
• Potential entry points and placeholders for investment concepts and sustainable financing mechanisms in the long-term