The Ramsar Secretariat Work Plan 2007
as adopted by the 35th meeting of the Standing Committee
Secretariat Work Plan 2007: Key tasks and indicators
Note. The staff time allocation is based on each staff full-time equivalent (FTE) working 46 weeks in the year, using a base figure of 18 FTE staff. This figure takes into account staff who work for less than full-time, and staff posts whose recruitment is anticipated part way through 2007. Interns are counted as FTE staff.
| Task | Staff weeks 2007 | Indicators |
| Organise and hold Standing Committee 35, Feb 2007 | 29.2 | SC35 held |
| Organise and hold STRP mid-term workshops, March 2007 | 23.1 | Workshops held; work plan progress facilitated |
| Develop and maintain an electronic system for communication amongst STRP members & with its National Focal Points | 6.4 | STRP NFPs assisted to have improved involvement in STRP’s work |
| Support STRP in its elaboration and delivery of priority tasks in its Work Plan | 37.0 | Immediate & High Priority STRP tasks progressed according to Work Plan |
| Work with IOPs to ensure a common framework for assistance in delivering the Convention’s implementation | 9.1 | Framework and collaborative activities agreed |
| Develop a new approach to improving the financial base for the Convention’s implementation | 7.3 | SC36 has a new format for budget framework |
| Arrange occasional briefings of Missions in Geneva on activities taking place between Standing Committee meetings | 9.1 | At least one briefing held |
| Provide briefings to Standing Committee members between SC meetings, as required during the year | 9.0 | At least two briefings (July & October) sent to SC |
| Implement the CEPA Programme, and further develop a comprehensive plan for CEPA internally, including the activities undertaken with Danone Group and other private sector actors, through CEPA Oversight Panel | 44.4 | Comprehensive Secretariat CEPA plan, with input of CEPA Oversight Panel, developed |
| Publish Ramsar Wise Use Handbooks and Ramsar Technical Reports | 22.4 | Publication of 3rd edition Handbooks completed; RTRs published in a timely manner |
| Maintain Ramsar Web site, listserves and other electronic information provision | 14.4 | Topical information on the Convention available to all stakeholders |
| Seek to enhance the development of capacity building through the Advisory Board on Capacity Building for the Ramsar Convention and developing regional centres | 8.8 | Advisory Board contributing to capacity-building for Parties |
| Prepare materials and advice for WWD 2008 (and follow up on 2007) | 27.7 | WWD 2008 materials prepared and despatched; 2007 activities reported on Web site |
| Agree and begin to implement, with the Convention on Biological Diversity, a 4th Joint Work Plan 2007-2009 | 6.0 | 4th JWP being implemented |
| Use proactively the Biodiversity Liaison Group, and the Joint Liaison Group for the Rio Conventions, to improve synergies | 4.3 | BLG meetings attended, JLG meetings attended as observer, both at SG/DSG level |
| Promote the work of the Convention at important international meetings | 25.3 | SRA level or above represented Convention at key global and regional meetings |
| Prepare paper for CSD on Ramsar and water in 2008 | 2.0 | Paper prepared & distributed |
| With the SC Subgroup, begin preparation of the Strategic Plan for 2009-2014 | 6.0 | First Draft Strategic Plan circulated to SC during 2007 |
| With the SC Subgroup and interested Parties, develop and issue a new National Report Format for COP10 | 7.6 | COP10 National Report Format issued in 2007 |
| With the Management Working Group (MWG), review the existing management structures of the Secretariat and Convention | 2.4 | Any changes to management structures advised by MWG implemented by Secretariat |
| Further develop the review of COP decisions called for in Resolution IX.17, as instructed by SC35 | 2.5 | Recommendations resulting from the review prepared for SC36 consideration |
| With the Host Government and other relevant bodies and agencies, continue to develop options for the change of status of the Secretariat (Resolution IX.10) | 3.4 | Further advice on options prepared for SC36 and potential COP10 consideration |
| Manage the core funding support for, and monitor the implementation of, regional initiatives approved by Resolution IX.7 | 15.9 | Approved funds transferred to regional initiatives; advice on implementation progress & issues provided to SC |
| Undertake project evaluations and reviews (SGF, WFF, SFA, etc.) | 55.6 | All project proposals and reports evaluated |
| Monitor implementation of COP9 Resolutions | 13.8 | Implementation progress by Parties and IOPs tracked, as required |
| With the Republic of Korea, implement the Memorandum of Understanding for COP10 | 11.0 | COP10 planning documents prepared; Republic of Korea advised on COP preparations |
| Support organization of COP10 regional preparatory meetings by host countries | 27.9 | All regional meetings prepared or held |
| Continue to review the effectiveness of Memoranda of Understanding with other organisations | 3.6 | All Memoranda and annexed plans either updated, replaced or annulled |
| Advise countries in the process of accession on any issues of clarification, and on preparing their first RIS, as necessary | 16.5 | Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, UAE, Yemen and others further assisted for accession |
| Assist Parties with implementation of the Convention | 74.1 | Advice and support on national implementation issues provided, in regional and global contexts |
| Manage and process Ramsar site designations and RIS updates | 108.2 | All RISs received from Parties fully processed |
| Advise Parties on Article 3.2, Montreux Record and Ramsar Advisory Mission (RAM) issues | 13.3 | Article 3.2 issues raised with relevant Parties; RAMs prepared when requested by Parties |
| Undertake general administration of the Secretariat and Convention | 146.9 | Parties, and other stakeholders, provided with a timely and efficient service |
| Make representations to Parties in arrears with contributions | 4.9 | Meetings with missions made |
| Organise SC36 and COP10 Subgroup meetings | 17.0 | |
| Organise Secretariat meetings with partners and other stakeholders, as needed | 11.0 | Meetings prepared in timely manner |
