Bonn, Ocotber 2009 - After having reached its own 30th Anniversary in June, the Bonn Convention has congratulated the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, also known as the Bern Convention, which has just turned 30 too.

The Bern Convention was the first international treaty aiming to protect both wild plant and animal species and their natural habitats while enhancing transborder cooperation between contracting parties in Europe. The management and sustainable use of European wildlife and natural habitats including migratory species are a cornerstone of the Bern Convention and reveal common objectives of both Conventions.

CMS and the Bern Convention have developed close collaboration based on a Memorandum of Understanding, in creating species action plans and strategies, and they have supported environmental governance by helping countries improve national policies and preserve their natural heritage. Regional Agreements concluded under the CMS umbrella such as the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), the two agreements to conserve whales and dolphins (ACCOBAMS and ASCOBANS), the Agreement on Bats (EUROBATS) as well as the Wadden Sea Seals Agreement also play an active role in this.

Membership of the Bern Convention has grown to 48 Contracting Parties and 50 signatories. The European Community and its 27 Member States are Parties to the Bern Convention, as are Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal.

Both Conventions have proven expertise in tackling sensitive issues like hunting and recent challenges such as climate change, invasive alien species and creating networks of protected areas.

The Bonn and Bern Conventions are going to mark their ongoing co-operation with the signature of a Memorandum of Co-operation on the first day of this year's annual meeting of Parties to the Bern Convention, on Monday 23rd November 2009.