The 14th Pan-African Ornithological Congress is on in Senegal. PAOC 14 was launched on Monday, October 17th, 2016 in Dakar by Senegal’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mr. Abdoulaye Baldé who said the Senegalese government is eager to learn from the conclusions of the conference which is being held for the first time in a Francophone country of West Africa. The theme is “Global Change in Africa: opportunities and threats to birds.”
As of Monday, October 17th, 2016 Dakar is the capital of ornithology with the 14th edition of the Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC14) kicking-off is launched by Mr. Abdoulaye Baldé, Senegal’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of. ” The choice of Senegal to host the PAOC 14 enshrines the policy of our country in the conservation and recovery of birds, ” Mr. Baldé said.
Birds are an indicator helping to know about the health of ecosystems and environmental quality. Which is one of the reasons why the ongoing meeting in Dakar is important. ” The government is waiting with great interest for the results of your work. We need a Dakar Declaration to be sent to national and international institutions. You are scientists, we are politics who support you ”, said the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development before pleading for emergency measures such as rational use of land to better conserve birds and their habitats. And Mr. Baldé to insist that sustained efforts should be made to safeguard the habitats of birds that are connected to people. His Excellency Mr. Theo Peters, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Senegal added that conservation goes beyond what governments can do but should be everyone’s business; universities, research institutes, private sector etc.
Nowadays, all stakeholders agree on the important role of advocacy, research and the improvement of knowledge and its sharing.
Earlier, the chairperson of the of the 14th Pan-African Ornithological Congress Organizing Committee, Colonel Abdoulaye Ndiaye, welcomed all participants and thanked all the partners who helped to make the event a success. He expressed the honor for his country to host this international meeting which is held every 4 years.
Senegal hosts PAOC 14 from 16th to 21st October. The theme this year is ‘’Global Change in Africa: opportunities and threats to birds.’ ‘ The PAOC stands to be a scientific organization and educational forum to address the African bird biology, birds and their relationship with people and the effects of people on bird populations.
At least 250 people composed of experts, ornithologists, students and simple bird lovers take part in this 14th PAOC.