Political Partner Meeting highlights the role of policy engagement across the East Atlantic Flyway

The Political Partner Information Meeting of the project “Climate Resilient East Atlantic Flyway” (CREAF) brought together political stakeholders to introduce the project and exchange on its relevance for policy and site-level action across the flyway. Held online on 3 March 2026, the meeting provided an opportunity to present the overall aims and approach of the project, including its focus on climate-resilient site management, policy alignment and support for sustainable livelihoods across 28 critical coastal sites in eleven countries. At its core, the project aims to improve the condition of coastal wetland habitats for migratory waterbirds, while strengthening the resilience of the sites and the communities that depend on them.

Linking science, management and policy

A key point presented was the role of adaptive management, where monitoring and research inform management decisions and policy development, and are continuously reviewed and adjusted over time. Strengthening this link between science, management and policy is particularly important in the context of climate change, where conditions are changing rapidly and decisions need to be based on up-to-date evidence.

With 33% of monitored migratory waterbird populations in decline and coastal wetlands under increasing pressure from climate change and human activities, this integrated approach is essential.

The role of political partners

The exchange was constructive, with particularly strong engagement from partners in Sierra Leone and Senegal, who highlighted the relevance of the project for national priorities and ongoing work at site level, as well as their support for implementation on the ground.

A central message from the meeting was the importance of political engagement in enabling long-term impact along the flyway. This includes supporting the integration of climate and biodiversity priorities into national frameworks, engaging in policy dialogue, and helping to translate scientific knowledge into effective management and decision-making.

Looking ahead

As implementation progresses, with almost seven years ahead, there is strong potential for the project to contribute to meaningful and lasting impact across the flyway. Achieving this will depend on continued collaboration between technical partners and political stakeholders, ensuring that local actions are connected to wider policy processes.

The project builds on a shared effort across partners, with the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat supporting coordination at flyway level, but its success ultimately relies on the collective engagement and contributions of everyone involved.