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CMS Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
to the Convention on Migratory Species
of Wild Animals

UNEP Headquarters Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya | 20-25 November 2005
United Nations
 
Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB
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Roundtables


Curtain Raiser &
Nov 20
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25 Nov &
Summary
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CMS COP-8 Concludes Successfully

On Friday, 25 November, at the eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the Committee of the Whole (COW) convened in the morning to endorse outstanding resolutions and recommendations. Delegates met in plenary to consider the possible listing of the Gorilla on Appendix II, principles for the expansion of agreements, and the 2010 target. The plenary also adopted outstanding resolutions and recommendations, and heard closing statements about the successful outcome of COP-8. Chair Patrick van Klaveren declared the meeting closed at 5.29 pm. Above: CMS Executive Secretary Robert Hepworth gave Vice-Chair Rolph Payet, Seychelles, and Chair van Klaveren bottles of Danzig Goldwasser liqueur from Germany in appreciation for their work.


Friday, 25 November
Morning Session


Ian McLean, UK, reported that after coordination between its members, the European Union supported a proposed resolution on marine turtles.

Marco Barbieri, CMS Secretariat, introduced changes to the resolution on human-induced impacts on cetaceans.

Oliver Schall, Germany, informed participants that New Zealand requested to be included among the sponsoring countries of the resolution on impacts on cetaceans.

Kenya announced that Chad, with Senegal as alternate, would represent francophone Africa on the Standing Committee, while Tanzania, with Ghana as alternate, would represent anglophone Africa.

Norway highlighted the difficulty for the Convention to initiate an instrument on the Gorilla, and suggested it would be more appropriate to contribute to international actions.

Scientific Council Chair Colin Galbraith said conservation of the Gorilla has been viewed as a one of the highest priorities, as demonstrated by their listing in Appendix I and the GRASP partnership.
Press Conference

During a midday press conference, above, the CMS Secretariat explained the legal and practical implications of Appendix I and II listings, and outlined actions undertaken with a focus on Africa. Wetlands International and Birdlife International stressed the crucial role that CMS can play in the debate on avian influenza, saying CMS should feed ecological knowledge into the FAO- and WHO-dominated discussions.
Afternoon Plenary

Argentina proposed revised text on cooperation between CMS and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Germany noted that nearly 85% of contributions come from EU member states, and CMS expenditures are also in Euros, while no parties to the conference belong to the US Dollar region.

Martin Brasher, UK, noted that its Minister for Biodiversity, Jim Knight, had announced a contribution of 100,000 pounds to support conservation of birds of prey in the African-Eurasian region.

EUROBATS Executive Secretary Andreas Streit announced that the first conference on bats in Africa will take place next year with external funding, and thanked African parties for their interest in the subject.

Shafqat Kakakhel, UNEP Deputy Executive Director, congratulated COP-8 for a highly successful meeting, highlighting in particular the decisions on budget, strategic plan and climate change.

ACCOBAMS asked for their involvement to be noted in the report.
Standing Committee

After the close of the COP, the newly elected members of the Standing Committee held their first meeting.

Related Links

Convention on Migratory Species
CMS COP-8 web site
COP-8 Meeting Documents
Convention on Biological Diversity
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
WWF International
CMS Press Release on Avian Influenza
Wetlands International - Avian Flu
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation

Related ENB Coverage

Linkages Biodiversity and Wildlife Issues page
ENB Coverage of CMS COP-7
ENB Coverage of CMS COP-6
ENB Coverage of the CBD Working Group on Protected Areas
ENB Coverage of CITES COP-13

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