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The W region of Niger constitutes an exceptional reservoir of biodiversity in Sudano-Sahelian Africa. The W complex from which it comes is one of the largest groups of protected areas in West Africa, shared between Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. This site has helped to conserve most of what remains of the biological diversity in Niger. Given the importance of its natural and cultural resources, the W National Park of Niger currently enjoys the following privileges: Ramsar Site in 1987; UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996; Biosphere Reserve in 2000; Transboundary Biosphere Reserve contiguous to Benin and Burkina Faso in 2002. The European Union set up the ECOPAS program (Ecosystem of Sudano-Sahelian Africa) in 2001 to replace the ECOFAT program. This ECOPAS program is a nature conservation support for the benefit of local populations. When is it today? (in 2006)