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ASCOBANS

Introduction

National Reports are the official documents by which countries report to the decision-making bodies of the CMS Family and/or its instruments on the measures they have undertaken to implement the priorities of the instruments. National Reports provide an official record of national implementation of each instrument over time and collectively they draw the picture of the overall implementation of the instrument.

Meetings of the CMS Family Decision-making Bodies

“During the Meetings of the CMS Family I experience the inspiring power of transboundary co-operation. I want to bring that feeling to my colleagues back home.”

Nancy Cespedes as Head of delegation at CMS meetings

 

As Member States constitute the decision-making bodies, it is their representatives that participate in these processes, alongside non-voting observers (e.g. representatives from non-Party States and NGOs.)

Financial Matters

The role of NFPs with regards to resource mobilization is twofold:

Communication and Dissemination of Information

Communication is a key element of any NFP’s responsibilities. NFPs are the main points of contact on matters:

  • within the Member State (at the government level and beyond)
  • between the Secretariat/Coordinating Unit and the Member State, and
  • between Member States.

It is therefore crucial to establish a regular flow of information and communication. “Staying up-to-date” regarding developments under CMS and its instruments is the starting point.
It is recommended that the NFPs regularly communicate: At the national level, with:

Appointment of Members to Subsidiary Bodies

Appointment of experts to Scientific and Technical Subsidiary Bodies

CMS and some of its instruments establish a number of subsidiary bodies to which Member States are invited to appoint expert members to provide technical and scientific advice. In the case of ASCOBANS members of the Advisory Committee have a double function.

Appointment of NFPs

“The people chosen to be the NFPs are key to breathing life into the CMS Family. Our enthusiasm is decisive for saving migratory species.”

James Njogu, Kenya

 

Under CMS and its instruments, Member States are requested to appoint NFPs. The Secretariats and Coordinating Units are required to promote communication and collaboration with and among the Member States. To fulfill this responsibility the Secretariats and Coordinating Units maintain a list of the NFPs designated by the governments of Member States.

Action required from the NFP and other actors

  Appointment of CMS Family NFPs and other representatives
NFPs and other representatives  NFP: Initiate appointments of NFPs, Standing Committee representatives and other experts and obtain official signed letter of appointment from the responsible minister or government office.
Responsible Minister: Fill in and sign official appointment form

Funding of the CMS Family: Voluntary Contributions

CMS and the Agreements

In the case of CMS and the legally-binding Agreements, voluntary contributions normally complement the assessed ones and are solicited by the Secretariats to fund projects and other initiative that are not covered by the regular budget.
 

MOUs

Funding for MOUs normally takes the form of ad hoc voluntary contributions from Signatories as well as other interested countries.
 

Funding of the CMS Family: Assessed Contributions

Each Party to a legally binding-instrument (CMS and Agreements) is required to financially contribute to the budget adopted by the decision-making body.

Secretariats and Coordinating Units

Secretariats and Coordinating Units provide administrative support to their instruments. Normally the decision-making body of the instrument determines the budget to be allocated to the Secretariat/Coordinating Unit including the number of posts and functions. Where MOUs have dedicated Coordinating Units, they are usually funded by voluntary contributions.