The Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP), Ramsar's scientific subsidiary body
The Scientific and Technical Review Panel of the Ramsar Convention was established by Resolution 5.5 (Kushiro, 1993) as a subsidiary body of the Convention to provide scientific and technical guidance to the Conference of the Parties, the Standing Committee, and the Ramsar Secretariat. Its individual members are elected by the STRP Oversight Panel, based upon nominations from the Parties, and the Standing Committee has the overall responsibility for the work of the STRP. Resolution VII.2 (San José, 1999) modified the composition of the STRP, and Resolution X.9 (Changwon, 2008) established the present modus operandi and terms of reference of the STRP.
For the 2009-2012 cycle, the STRP is chaired by Dr Heather MacKay of South Africa and vice-chaired by Rebecca D'Cruz of Malaysia - the membership of the Panel consists of six regional representatives (one chosen from each of the six Ramsar regions), who are charged with networking with the scientific communities and STRP National Focal Points in their regions; eight thematic experts chosen for their expertise in the priority areas of work for the period; and representatives of the five International Organization Partners, for 20 full members in all. In addition, the Parties have specified a list of 24 convention secretariats, convention subsidiary scientific bodies, and scientific organizations as officially Invited Observer Organizations, and additional invited experts, consultants, and organizations are asked to participate as required. The progress of the STRP's work is guided and supervised from within the Secretariat by the Deputy Secretary General and the Scientific and Technical Support Officer.
The STRP's Work Plan for each triennium is built around the priority tasks determined by the Standing Committee, which are based upon requests from the Conference of the Parties by means of its Strategic Plan and COP Resolutions and Recommendations. The STRP members and observers are assisted in their work by a network of STRP National Focal Points who advise them directly on STRP matters and provide a liaison between the STRP, the Administrative Authorities and the networks of other relevant experts within each of their countries.
The work of the STRP is further assisted by the Support Service, a web-based platform which was created and hosted today by Wetlands International. The Support Service allows STRP members, STRP National Focal Points and other wetland experts to exchange information and opinions related to the Panel's ongoing work, to review and comment on various new guidance material, Ramsar Technical Reports and technical advisory notes developed to assist Contracting Parties during the 2009-2012 period.
Quick links:
Members of the STRP
STRP related documents
STRP meetings
STRP Newsletter, latest issue (PDF)
STRP Support Service
