Bonn, 16 March 2004 The recently appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal to Germany, H.E. Mr Babacar Gaye, met with Heads of UN Agencies at the UN-Premises today. On this occasion Mr. Babacar Gaye also met with CMS Executive Secretary Mr. Arnulf Müller-Helmbrecht and AEWA Executive Secretary Mr. Bert Lenten to discuss both Senegal's commitment to species conservation and to underline the importance of CMS as an intergovernmental treaty concerned with the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitats in Africa and on a global scale.

The meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere at the CMS Secretariat and included a brief presentation of major CMS activities in Africa. Particular attention was given to CMS related activities on the conservation and restoration of Sahelo-Saharan Antelopes and activities relating to Marine Turtles of the Atlantic Coast of Africa.

The Republic of Senegal is one of twenty-seven African countries, which have become Parties to CMS and is a Signatory State to the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for Marine Turtles of the Atlantic Coast of Africa.