In his speech Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer highlighted the importance of the Convention for the transboundary protection of migratory species and stated that in the last 25 years much has been achieved with little means. Meanwhile the protection of migratory species is inconceivable without the Bonn Convention. In addition, the number of Parties increased to a remarkable number of 86 whereby another 25 have signed up for regional agreements. In his speech Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer also thanked CMS Executive Secretary Arnulf Müller-Helmbrecht for his commitment in managing the convention for the last twelve years. “For me”, Töpfer said, “he is Mr. CMS.”

Mr. Johannes Rau, the Federal President of Germany noted in a welcoming address inter-alia that “migratory animals need a strong lobby in order to avoid that they become victims of our modern world by becoming extinct.”

In a second key note speech Mr. Jürgen Trittin, German Federal Environment Minister, also complimented the successful and future role of CMS. In his welcoming address he focussed especially on the role of CMS in achieving the goal of the Johannesburg Summit of 2002 on Environment and Sustainable Development (WSSD) to reverse by 2010 the loss of biological diversity. He took the example of the Albatrosses, which are extremely endangered by illegal and excessive longline fishery, and for whose better protection CMS has established a special Agreement (ACAP). He described the Albatrosses as miraculous biological “machines”. They can spend up to several months in the air and on water, they swallow extreme quantities of fish which they bring to their offspring on islands hundred of miles away.

Sir Peter Tory, the British Ambassador in Germany and the representing authority of the Parties to CMS reported the many regional agreements for various species which CMS has created and which have proven to be successful tools for a tailored co-ordinated and concerted protection of the respective animals. Whales and dolphins, European bats, 235 Migratory waterbirds species in Africa/Eurasia and Marine turtles are in addition to Albatrosses and Petrels amongst the species protected under CMS.

Mr. Carl-Albrecht von Treuenfels, President of WWF Germany and speaking on behalf of the many international and national Non-Governmental Organisations in the field of Environment Nature Protection, looked retrospectively at the past 25 years. These were good years for CMS and the WWF. A long tradition of co-operation links both organizations. This tradition should be continued in future. While collaborating more closely, both CMS and these organisations, could better reach their goals.

Ms. Bärbel Dieckmann, Lord Mayor of the City of Bonn, emphasised in her welcoming address the conclusion of the Convention in Bonn 25 years ago, thus giving it Bonn´s name. She also noted with pleasure that with the CMS Secretariat Bonn is hosting the oldest UN-Agency with a global field of activity in all of Germany.

Last orator was Mr. Arnulf Müller-Helmbrecht, who highlighted the special nature of the Bonn Convention. It organizes the commitments of all countries which are “common owners” of migratory animals as a “shared natural resource”. CMS brings scientists, field workers and national/international NGOs together. Only this kind of co-operation ensures successful work for migratory species. Another important aspect of conservation is research on migratory movements. Tracing migration routes of migratory species facilitates conservation efforts. Therefore the CMS Secretariat announced a new PhD Award, sponsored by Lufthansa and National Geographics. The award of Euro 10.000 will be given in a three-year interval at the Conference of the CMS Parties for a scientific PhD thesis on migratory species. Mr. Müller-Helmbrecht concluded with more good news. The accession of new Parties is ensured. On short notice Austria and Rwanda and a dozen other countries are in the process of ratifying. Furthermore a Memorandum of Understanding for the extremely endangered Saiga Antelope will be signed this year.

A demonstration of more than 300 school children and students on 22 June sent a delegation of youngsters to hand over a resolution and indicative list of conservation requests to UNEP Executive Director Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer. One of their messages read: “No storks - no children, no children - no pension.”

Please click here for more background information on the CMS 25th Anniversary Celebrations