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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
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CMS COP-8 opens in Nairobi, Kenya
The eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) opened on Sunday
afternoon, 20 November 2005, in Nairobi, Kenya. Following a children's music
performance, delegates heard opening statements, and attended the CMS Thesis
Award ceremony, the presentation of the "Friends of CMS," and the CMS
Partnership Fair. COP-8 will convene until 25 November, with the theme
"On the Move to 2010." Above: Kenyan dancers entertained delegates
during a break.
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Sunday, 20 November
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Opening Session
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A choir of Kenyan children addressed the session with singing.
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Morris Nzoro, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya, welcomed
delegates and praised CMS for its regional agreements and MOUs as an
innovative approach to develop partnerships and set priorities.
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Robert Hepworth, CMS Executive Secretary, highlighted CMS work to
achieve the 2010 target, and urged parties to continue working in a
cooperative and concerted manner to consider a proper budget to enable
CMS to deliver its objectives.
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Jim Knight, Minister for Biodiversity, UK, urged protection of
endangered migratory species, stressing the threats of climate change
and desertification, unsustainable natural resource use, global
pandemics and poverty.
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Partnership Fair
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Following the CMS thesis award ceremony, the presentation of the
"Friends of CMS" initiative and the Partnership Fair, Bakary Kante
(below right),
Director of UNEP's Division of Environmental Conventions, closed the
opening ceremony. He pledged DEC's full support to the Convention,
lauded Germany for being the driving force behind CMS, and called
upon delegates to work proactively to implement the Convention's
objectives.
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Reception
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The reception was lit partly by a large bonfire.
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Delegates enjoyed a variety of foods and drinks, with kaimati and fruit
tarts for dessert.
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Dancers continued to provide entertainment into the night.
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