the ramsar convention and the wise use of wetlands · the ramsar convention on wetlands. the 3...
TRANSCRIPT
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention and the Wise Use of Wetlands
Round table: Governance for sustainable natural resources management - mechanisms & results Wednesday 17th February 2010 - Environment House, Geneva
Monica Zavagli, Scientific & Technical Support Officer, Ramsar Convention
1) Mission and Structure
2) Mechanisms and Tools
3) Challenges and Conclusions
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The only intergovernmental treaty focusing on one ecosystem: Wetlands
Inland Wetlands:marshes, lakes, rivers,peatlands,forests karst,caves and flood plains
Human-made wetlands:Ponds, rice paddies, water storage,ditches and canals
Marine/Coastal Wetlands:such as coral reefs, Mangroves, Estuaries
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The MissionThe conservation and wise use (sustainable use) of wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.”
(Ramsar Strategic Plan 2009-2015)
Protection from floods,erosion
Biodiversity Source of food, livelihoods
Drinking water, purification Climate regulation Religion and leisure
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The 3 pillars The 3 pillars
of the Ramsar Conventionof the Ramsar Convention1. Wise Use (sustainable use) of all wetlands through correct
national land-use planning, appropriate policies and legislation, management actions and public education
Lake Uluabat Ramsar site
2. Network of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites):designation of suitable wetlands « protected areas » and ensuring their effective management to maintain their ecological character, provide training, undertake necessary research and monitoring
3. International Cooperation development of joint programmes to protect shared wetland systems (and water catchments), shared species and to promote flyway approaches
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
159 Contracting Parties
The Ramsar Convention
a global network of 1886 specially protected sites under the Convention:« Wetlands of International Importance » or « Ramsar Site »
covering a surface of 185 million ha
CPs
NON CPs
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
The bodies of the Convention…The bodies of the Convention…
• The Convention Secretariat•159 Contracting Parties (CPs)• Scientific Technical Review Panel (STRP)
The Conference of Parties (COP):-Policy-making organ of the Convention-Every 3 years (COP11 in Romania 2012)-adoption of guidance, national reports, approval of work programme and budgetary arrangements.
The Standing Committee:-Intersessional elected executive body -18 regional members/2 observer CPs/5 IOPs
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
- Handbooks (HB) and other guidelines on various matters adopted by the Contracting Parties
HB8: Water allocation and management
HB6: Water-related guidance
HB10: Coastal management
HB7: River basin management
HB9: Ground water
HB13: Impact assessment
HB11: Inventory, assessment, monitoring
HB14: Designating Ramsar sites
HB5: Participatory skills
HB16: Managing wetlands
HB12: Wetland inventory
HB15: Change in ecological character
HB13: Impact assessment
HB8: Water allocation and management
HB7: River basin management
HB10: Coastal management
HB3: Laws and institutions
HB2: National wetland policies
HB17: International cooperation
HB1: Wise use
HB4: Wetland CEPA
A Conceptual Framework for Wetland Wise UseSource: Millenium Ecosystem Assessment
Assisting in the Wise Use of Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Financial Assistance…Financial Assistance…
• Small Grant Fund (applies Globally)
• Wetland for the Future (Americas)
• Swiss Grant for Africa• Private sector
Some Examples:
Armenia: preparation of National Wetland Policy
China: National Action Plan for CEPA activities
Colombia: management plan for the Baudo River RS
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Delivering the Convention in the country
Administrative Authority (AA) the main governmental agency responsible for the implementation of the Convention
Focal Point for the Scientific &Technical Review Panel (STRP)
Focal Points for CEPA (=Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness) in the Government and NGO
National Wetland Committee: an effective mechanism to disseminate Convention’s tools,best practises and to influence national policies.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
ChallengesChallenges
Raise awareness
National capacity
Crossectoral approach
Financial resources
Harmonization of the work withother Multilateral EnvironmentalAgreements and Institutions
Effective communication
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Wetland
More information:
www.ramsar.org
“Wetlands ARE vulnerable to human-induced climate change, but if we manage them well, wetland ecosystems and their biodiversity also have a role to play in mitigation and adaptation to climate change”
ThankThank youyou!!