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The CMS Asia Pacific Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force (ITTEA) and the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds will provide an update on recent progress and introduce new projects from implementing partners that will contribute to the establishment of baselines of priority species by addressing monitoring data gaps in Southeast Asia. The event will present the draft scoreboard and provide an opportunity for input from attendees to hone its utility as an effective tool for governments to provide an objective, fact-based, national self-assessment of the status of ITB at the national level. A moderated discussion will be held to ensure the scoreboard elements reflect realistic objectives and scenarios that are faced by governments and stakeholders.

Expected outcomes: The participants of the side event will gain an understanding of the status of populations of priority species and the degree of threat from illegal take in insular Southeast Asia. Participants will also have a better understanding of the scoreboard and how to use it as a tool for national assessment, thus increasing their likelihood for using it in the future. Significant developments and progress under CMS regarding ITB on a global scale and preparations for CMS COP15 will also be shared with participants.

Alignment with the EAAFP Strategic Plan (2019–2028)

This event will address Objective 2 (Enhance communication, education, participation, and awareness (CEPA) of the values of migratory waterbirds and their habitats) and Objective 3 (Enhance flyway research and monitoring activities, build knowledge and promote exchange of information on waterbirds and their habitats) of the EAAFP Strategic Plan. The information shared from new research and monitoring of waterbirds in insular Southeast Asia will contribute to the development of baseline assessments (Key Result Area 3.2.1). A moderated discussion for input on the national scoreboard will also contribute to the standardization of monitoring methodology (KRA 3.1.1). Successful strategies for stakeholder engagement will be discussed to raise public awareness and provide long-term support for conservation of waterbirds from local communities (KRA 2.1).