Bonn, 5 July 2007: After reviewing the Convention’s finances for the first half of 2007, the CMS Executive Secretary has given particular thanks to Algeria, Australia, France, FYR of Macedonia, Ireland, Latvia, Nigeria, Rwanda, the Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tanzania who have not only met their subscription obligations until the end of 2007 but whose subscriptions accounts show a significant surplus in favour of the Convention. The total figure of these advance payments is close to EUR 500,000. They have also helped CMS to generate additional income of over USD 50,000 so far in interest payments since the last Conference in 2005.

"I would like to thank all states who contribute year after year to the Convention,” said Mr Hepworth. “Those who pay up front for future years also provide us with extra flexibility to start new projects and pay for the expenditure we need to deliver conservation benefits to migratory species throughout the world. We have some debtor Parties too, including several in the European Union, and we hope that the presence of several developing countries in the list of 'advance payers' will encourage them to make good their promises to the Convention.”