In a landmark convergence of science, policy, and international cooperation, the global conservation community concluded a pivotal week in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 September 2026. The event, which brought together 125 BirdLife International partners from across the globe, served as both the quadrennial Global Partnership Meeting (GPM) and the high-profile Global Flyways Summit. Over the course of five days, delegates grappled with the accelerating crisis facing migratory species while cementing new financial and political frameworks designed to secure the future of the world’s most vulnerable avian populations.
A Confluence of Crisis and Commitment
The summit was underscored by the release of the sixth edition of the "State of the World’s Birds" report, which provided a stark, data-driven assessment of the current crisis. The report, prepared by BirdLife International’s science team led by Dr. Stuart Butchart, revealed that 45% of the 1,843 migratory bird species monitored are in decline. Perhaps most concerning is the finding that one in nine migratory species—approximately 200 in total—now face the threat of extinction.
The findings highlight a systemic failure in landscape management, with 58% of 1,099 key sites monitored over the past decade categorized as being in "poor" or "very poor" condition. The report also confirmed the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, marking the first such loss in mainland Eurasia and Africa in recent history. However, the data also offered a path forward: the report demonstrated that protection of key sites has surged from 11% in 1980 to 49% today, proving that coordinated, multi-national efforts—such as the recent hunting moratorium that saw European Turtle-dove populations rebound by 47%—can effectively reverse downward trends.
The Nairobi Flyways Declaration
The centerpiece of the summit was the adoption of the Nairobi Flyways Declaration. Signed by representatives of governments, international development banks, scientific institutions, and indigenous communities, the document establishes a formal commitment to treat migratory birds as vital indicators of planetary health.
The Declaration explicitly calls for four fundamental actions: the integration of migratory bird data into national and international economic planning, the strengthening of transboundary cooperation, the translation of international conservation commitments into localized national action, and, crucially, the immediate mobilization of dedicated funding for flyway conservation. By recognizing that flyways constitute "connective tissue" that ignores geopolitical borders, the signatories have committed to a paradigm shift in how conservation is funded and executed across the globe.
Bridging Science and Finance
The summit broke significant ground by integrating private and public finance with conservation science. A major development was the unveiling of the Flyways Nature Bond Framework. Developed by BirdLife International, the National Audubon Society, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), this framework represents a pioneering step in sustainable finance.
The methodology provides a scientific and environmental rubric for development banks to evaluate infrastructure and development projects. By mandating that bird science be written into the project selection phase—rather than assessed as an afterthought—the framework aims to prevent environmental damage before it occurs. Alicia Montalvo, representing CAF, noted that this collaboration is essential for aligning the bank’s hemispheric investment strategy with the biodiversity goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This initiative is designed to support the broader goal of protecting 10% of representative migratory bird populations by 2050.
Chronology of the Summit
The week’s events were structured to blend high-level governance with grassroots testimonies. The proceedings began on 7 September with a formal welcome from Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, who emphasized Kenya’s role as a bridge on the African-Eurasian Flyway.
The mid-week sessions were dedicated to the internal governance of the BirdLife Partnership, including the adoption of a refreshed strategy through 2030, which focuses on prioritizing impact-heavy conservation projects. A standout moment occurred on Wednesday afternoon with the premiere of the Global Birdsong Initiative, a creative collaboration between musicians Tim Arinaitwe and Axel Wild, who wove recordings from over 100 countries into a unified rhythmic composition. This served as a symbolic reminder of the interconnectedness of the Partnership’s work.
Thursday was marked by thematic discussions covering diverse topics, including the use of artificial intelligence in monitoring, the implementation of the High Seas Treaty, and the critical intersection of mental health and conservation work. Friday served as the outward-facing component of the summit, where the focus shifted to global policy, the launch of the Declaration, and the presentation of the "Global Flyways" film series, which documents the lives of people holding migration routes together across 21 countries.
Legacy and Philanthropic Leadership
The summit also served as a venue for significant private philanthropy. A poignant moment occurred during the awards dinner when Neville Isdell announced the creation of the $10 million Pamela Isdell Endowment Fund for Africa. Established in memory of the late Pamela Isdell, the fund is dedicated to protecting critical habitats, supporting grassroots leadership, and advancing vulture conservation across the continent. This commitment provides the financial agility needed for the Partnership to respond to sudden environmental threats.
Furthermore, the summit recognized the contributions of Mr. Haruhiko Doi, whose silent generosity was credited as a primary enabler of the summit. The introduction of the "Nairobi Crane Award" served to formalize recognition of such private sector support, linking the Red-crowned Crane of Japan and the Grey Crowned Crane of Kenya as symbols of international, intercontinental cooperation.
Implications for Global Conservation
The implications of the Nairobi Summit are profound. For the conservation sector, the event signals a departure from siloed, site-specific interventions toward a holistic, flyway-scale approach. The alignment of development banks with bird science indicates that the "nature-positive" movement is moving beyond rhetoric into the core of global project financing.
However, the challenges ahead remain significant. As highlighted by Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, the effectiveness of international targets—such as the Kunming-Montreal framework—is entirely dependent on the capacity of local actors to implement them. The summit’s focus on supporting local partners, from the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia to the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds, underscores the realization that the front lines of conservation are found in communities, not just in boardrooms.
As the banners were taken down at the Safari Park Hotel and delegates returned to their respective regions, the prevailing sentiment was one of cautious optimism. The scientific evidence presented in Nairobi was sobering, yet the administrative and financial tools established during the week provide a concrete roadmap for the next four years.
In her closing remarks, Honey Kohan, Head of Communications for BirdLife Europe & Central Asia, captured the spirit of the event: "Migratory birds don’t live in one place. They fly fixed routes… and along the way, they depend on resting sites. I think that’s what these three days have been. A gathering at a place along the way that makes the rest of the journey possible." For the global conservation community, the Nairobi Summit has provided that crucial rest, refuel, and re-alignment necessary for the difficult journey ahead. The success of these new commitments will now be measured by their implementation on the ground, across the vast, interconnected flyways that sustain the planet’s biodiversity.
