Well, IWMC wants its farewell messages to mean this: "Let's go our separate ways for awhile; reflect on what we are trying to achieve; make sure we maintain a high level of respect for each other, even if we do not share the same principles; let science and traditional wisdom guide our thoughts and steps."

"When we meet again, we could then express new, fresh ideas and, we shall, hopefully, reach a consensus."

However, after so many years of saying goodbye to our friends, does it make sense that we always return to our own countries and respective occupations empty-handed?

The IWC has been at a critical cross road for several years and is largely hostage to crusading ideologists who show no respect for their fellow men, their culture and their traditions. What country has the right to impose its environmental ethics on others? What would happen if this were an acceptable practice in religion or other social application?

Because of this widening gap of values, a consensus on the use of any living natural resources is unlikely to be reached and we shall go again our respective paths facing an empty-handed situation. Unless... let's have hope.

Let’s prove to the world that "Farewell" is not a meaningless word!