Objectives

Success in conserving nature's resources requires the collective wisdom, effort and cooperation of governments, resource managers, scientists, communities, corporate and philanthropic organizations, as well as individuals alike. The same can be said about the success of this IWMC-World Conservation Trust 2nd Symposium on Sustainable Use.

To all our sponsors, participants from the public and private sectors, from academia and the field, from communities and cultures coexisting with and dependent upon nature's many and wonderful resources, we thank you. The dialogue you will generate at this conference and the dedication you and your colleagues bring to the conservation of the planet have earned you our eternal gratitude and admiration.

Special thanks in helping make this symposium a reality is due to the Governments of Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency; the People's Republic of China and its State Forestry Administration, as well as the Sichuan Provincial Government; Japan and the Japan Fisheries Agency and the Ministry of International Trade and Industries; and Norway with its Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our gratitude, also, goes to Caviar House, Switzerland; Caviar Petrossian, France; Japan Bekko Association, Japan; The Institute of Cetacean Research, Japan; the International Coalition of Fisheries Agency, USA; and to all the sponsors, staff, colleagues, family and friends who made this event possible. �

Eugene Lapointe
President
IWMC-World Conservation Trust