1991 - 2006. EUROBATS celebrates its 15th anniversary

Foreword
15 years of EUROBATS, a moment to reflect
on the past and look to the future ...
by Bakary Kante, Director of the Division of Envi-
ronmental Conventions (UNEP/DEC) and Andreas
Streit, Executive Secretary of UNEP/EUROBATS
Dear colleagues and friends,
We are celebrating the 1 th anniversary of
the EUROBATS Agreement, which is considered
to be one of the most successful in
the large family of Agreements concluded
under the auspices of the global Convention
on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) and has been
highly successful since it entered into force
in 1994. In only a few years the number of
Parties has grown to more than thirty which
is a clear testimony to the importance that
the Agreement plays in the larger context of
the conservation of migratory species.
Now, what is it that makes this somewhat
„exotic“ looking Agreement so special
and successful? First of all and most importantly
the contribution of the large number
of dedicated people from both within and
outside the EUROBATS Secretariat. Their tireless
efforts, dedication and commitment
to making a difference for bat conservation
in Europe have been truly admirable. It has
also been extremely rewarding to witness
that a majority of the fathers and mothers
of the Agreement who were lobbying for its
conclusion and who have participated in
its drafting remain active in its implementation
and further growth. It is equally rewarding
to witness that over the years younger
generations have started to walk and work
in the footprints of dedication and com-
1991-2006 • EUROBATS celebrates its 15 th anniversary
mitment that were marked 1 years ago.
The fact that from the first six Signatory
States in 1991 the Agreement has so quickly
grown to 31 Parties right now (with more
still to come), covering the whole continent
of Europe demonstrates the importance
that countries attach to the protection of
bats. The valuable contributions received
for this publication from all over the Agreement
Area represent the real proof for the
necessity, impact and success of the Agreement
on the Conservation of Populations of
European Bats. As the Parties, UNEP also attaches
great importance to the EUROBATS
Agreement and is proud to host its Secretariat
as part of the larger CMS family. The
Division of Environmental Conventions, is
particularly pleased to have been able to financially
support the production of this Anniversary
publication. I thank all those who
have contributed to it!
Finally, I extend the warmest congratulations
to the EUROBATS Parties, Secretariat
and other partners in your outstanding
work. Only through you has the Agreement
successfully moved further in the conservation
of bats throughout Europe.
Andreas Streit welcoming Bakary Kante in the new
EUROBATS offices.
Bakary Kante
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