Bonn - 27 September 2006 - Representatives of over a dozen contracting parties and a number of key partner NGOs and IGOs gathered at the Bonn HQ of the United Nations to discuss the priorities for implementing the CMS Strategic Plan over the coming three years.
Senior Secretariat staff made a number of presentations illustrating the progress made so far and setting out the Convention's aspirations for the immediate future based on the documentation entitled "CMS on the Move to 2010 - Priorities in Implementing the Programme of Work 2007-8".
CMS had received a favourable budget settlement at COP8 in Nairobi. However, for the Strategic Plan to be fully implemented a further € 1.5 million had to be found over the triennium, of which just under a third had been raised so far.
Executive Secretary Rob Hepworth highlighted the leading role which CMS and its daughter agreement AEWA had played in responding to the Avian 'Flu alert. Information leaflets had been produced and a "clearing house mechanism" was being established to ensure that scientifically sound and accurate information would be available in the event of another outbreak. He, along with Peter Dollinger, also signed a Partnership Agreement with World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Agreements Officer was able to report exciting news about progress on two new CMS agreements - the MoUs for the Saiga Antelope and the Pacific Island Region Whales and Dolphins.
The Scientific and Technical Officer described the projects of the Small Grant Programme that need further funding. The Information Officer reported on progress on recruiting new parties, with CMS expected imminently to break through the 100-membership barrier. The Inter-Agency Liaison Officer explained how CMS was developing partnerships to promote initiatives such as the "Year of the Dolphin 2007", while Deputy Executive Secretary Lahcen El Kabiri focused on CMS activities in Africa, notably on the Sahelo-Saharan Antelopes. He also promised that CMS would investigate further reports of the death at the hands of hunters of ten or more of the highly endangered addax.
During the meeting, pledges of support were made by participants from Australia, Belgium, France, Monaco and the UK to support current and future initiatives. Rob Hepworth also announced a large donation from the Italian government of over € 200,000 for conservation and outreach work. Margi Prideaux on behalf of WDCS announced a considerable package of support in cash and kind for the Year of the Dolphin 2007.