The Ramsar Bulletin Board, 20 April 2009

Now available. New release of Ramsar Sites of the World book. "The Ministry of Environment Korea, WWT, and UNDP/GEF Korea Wetland Project are pleased to announce the publication of Ramsar Sites of the World book in support of the goals of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. This new publication shows exemplary conservation practices of 17 Ramsar sites around the world: South Korea, Mali, China, India, Iran, Japan, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, Brazil, Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. 24 wetland experts and more than 40 photographers deliver the vivid description of Ramsar sites of 17 countries and willingly took their valuable time to make this publication possible. We certainly hope that their effort will encourage people to take an action for our precious wetlands in the world. By visiting the following website, you can easily download the pdf version of the book: http://koreawetland.org/en/sub05.asp.

"If you have any comment, please contact Namue Lee at the UNDP/GEF Korea Wetland Project (namue@korea.kr) or Chris Rostron at WWT (Chris.Rostron@wwt.org.uk)." [17/04/09]

Who's Where?

María Rivera, Senior Advisor for the Americas, is participating in the general meeting of the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI) in Phuket, Thailand, 20-23 April. [14/04/09]

Tobias Salathé, Senior Advisor for Europe, is participating in the meeting of the Austrian Ramsar Committee, focusing on transboundary aspects of wetland cooperation, especially in the area of Lake Constance (Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland), 20-21 April 2009. [14/04/09]

For more old Ramsar Secretariat travel news, see also 'Who Was Where', 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

Announcement.French site to celebrate Ramsar site certificate. On 24 April 2009, officials at the Salins de Villeneuve les Maguelone on the Mediterranean coast near Montpellier will be welcoming the public to an "open house" and celebrating the conferral of their Ramsar site certificate for their new Ramsar site, called "Etangs palavasiens". The invitation can be seen here (PDF). [16/04/09]

Bosnia-Herzegovina celebrates a major new karst Ramsar site. "On 3 April 2009, in the small town of Livno, the Bosnian authorities, experts from local and international NGOs and different stakeholders celebrated the inscription of Livanjsko Polje (Livno karst field) in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. . . . SenadOprasic, heading the national Ramsar Administrative Authority in Sarajevo, expressed his satisfaction that the Ramsar Convention was providing the first legal protection to this outstanding area, while his office is working to prepare the urgently needed environmental legislation for his country, including a law for protected areas." Ramsar's Tobias Salathé was present and provides this brief, illustrated report on the event and its significance. [15/04/09]

Exhibition on Cambodian Ramsar site. The artist Paul Stewart is opening his new exhibition of fine art prints from the Ramsar wetland area on The Mekong in northern Cambodia, “Ramsar Site 999 - The Flooded Forests of Northern Cambodia”, which will run from 27 April to 31 May 2009 in Phnom Penh. A larger version of the poster at left can be seen in PDF format here. [15/04/09]

Sudan adds two Red Sea coastal Ramsar sites. The Ramsar Secretariat is pleased to report that, effective World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2009, the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources of Sudan has designated two new Wetlands of International Importance, both biodiversity-rich coastal areas in Red Sea State. Dongonab Bay-Marsa Waiai(280,000 hectares, 20°33'N 037°13’E) features an array of coral reefs, mangroves, off-shore islands, soft-bottom mud flats, sand beaches and hard bottom rocky shores in addition to salt-marshes, sabkha and khor basins. Suakin-Gulf of Agig(1,125,000 hectares, 18°34’N 038°05’E) encompasses, not only the sand flats, lagoons, sand shores and Tokar Delta along the coastline, but also the marine expanse of the Suakin Archipelago and its coral reefs.

Sudan now has four Ramsar sites covering an area of 8,189,600 hectares. WWF International’s Freshwater Programme and the Swiss Federal Office for Environment were very helpful in the preparations for these two important site designations. Ramsar’s Cynthia Kibata has prepared brief site summaries for the Annotated Ramsar List, which can be seen here. [14/04/09]

Congo names two riverine Ramsar sites. The Secretatiat is pleased to announce that the Direction générale de l’Environnement in Brazzaville has designated two new Wetlands of International Importance in Congo, effective 3 April 2009.Les Rapides du Congo-Djoué(2,500 hectares, 04°19’S 015°11’E) comprises the important Congo River tributaries the Djoué and the Loua and a rich complex of surrounding wetland types. The very large Sangha-Nouabalé-Ndoki(1,525,000 hectares, 01°41’N 016°26’E), which includes a National Park, comprises the important Sangha River and its surroundings. These two join Congo’s existing five Ramsar sites to provide commitments for the conservation and wise use of a total of 8,454,259 hectares. WWF International’s Freshwater Programme was extremely helpful in facilitating the work leading to the designation of these important new sites.

Ramsar’s Assistant Advisor for Africa, Cynthia Kibata, has provided brief site summaries based on the Ramsar Information Sheets that accompanied the designations, and so photographs have been supplied in PDF format. Here. [09/04/09]

Now available. Agenda papers for SC40. The documents for the 40th meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee, which will take place 11-15 May 2009 in the Secretariat facilities in Gland, Switzerland, are now available on the Ramsar Web site. They have been sent to the Standing Committee members by e-mail attachment, and all other potential participants and other interested people are encouraged to pick them up from the Web site. [09/04/09]

Vacancy announcement.UNESCO-IHE director. The UNESCO-IHE Institute of Water Education in Delft, The Netherlands, is looking to fill the position of Rector. "The Rector leads the Institute in fulfilling its United Nations and UNESCO mandates to strengthen the capacity of the water and environmental sectors in developing countries and countries in transition; upholds and strengthens the global role of the Institute by providing vision and leadership in anticipating and responding to global developments, changing societal demands and new technological and political opportunities; promotes the learning capacity of the Institute by enhancing its sensitivity and willingness to detect signals of change, both didactically and in technical aspects of the water sector both from inside and outside, and ensures that the knowledge base and educational methods of the Institute are up to date and further developed, in order to maintain high academic standards." Application deadline is 14 May 2009. Details are reproduced here (PDF). [09/04/09]

Now available.Survey of African Ramsar sites. “African Wetlands of International Importance: Assessment of Benefits Associated with Designations under the Ramsar Convention", by Royal Gardner (Stetson University College of Law), Kim Diana Connolly (University of South Carolina School of Law), and Abou Bamba (Ramsar Secretariat), has just been published in the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, vol XXI, issue 2 and is posted here with permission from the Review. The survey follows on from Professors Gardner and Connolly’s study of Ramsar sites in the United States (2007) and a similar survey of Ramsar sites in Canada (2008) done for the Canadian government by Pauline Lynch-Stewart. The Georgetown Review article discusses the survey results from 26 sites in 18 countries.  Benefits associated with Ramsar designation included increased support for protection and management of the sites, increased scientific studies, increased funding opportunities, increased ecotourism, and poverty alleviation. Download the new study here (PDF, 5MB). [09/04/09]

Youth Model Ramsar Convention 2009, Changwon City. On 28-29 March 2009 in Changwon, South Korea, high school students from various locations in Korea got together to hold the second Youth Model Ramsar Convention in continuation of the event developed through an increased awareness of wetlands and wetland conservation and established during the year of COP10. The event, supported by Gyeongsangnamdo Ramsar Environment Foundation, was a success, hosting two days of events with over 150 attendees. Here is a brief report (PDF). [07/04/09]

From the Ramsar Forum.International census of Black-faced Spoonbills. "Dear all, The Black-faced Spoonbill is a globally endangered species found at many Ramsar Sites: Chongmong Dongtan Nature Reserve, Guangdong Haifeng wetlands, Guangxi Beilun Estuary National Nature Reserve, Mai Po Marshes and Inner Deep Bay, Shankou Mangrove Nature Reserve, and Yancheng National Nature Reserve of China; Manko in Japan; Muan tidal flat, and Suncheon Bay of the Republic of Korea; and Xuan Thuy Natural Wetland Reserve in Vietnam. The annual census of the wintering population is one of the best single-species monitoring of wetland species in Asia: http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/04/black-faced_spoonbill.html. The main threat to this species is still the destruction of coastal wetland in eastern Asia. It is now a flagship species for wetland conservation at many sites. BirdLife International and partners in Asia have been working on this species for two decades and a strong network on conservation of this species has been established. Best regards, Simba Chan, Senior Conservation Officer, Asia Division, BirdLife International." [06/04/09]

From the Ramsar Forum. New paper on REDD and wetlands. “A new background paper entitled 'Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries (REDD) - the link with wetlands', prepared for FIELD by consultant Dave Pritchard, is available at www.field.org.uk. The paper summarises the importance of wetlands in relation to climate change and examines their potential role in relation to REDD and various international conventions. FIELD would welcome comments at field@field.org.uk.” [06/04/09]

News from the Danone-Evian initiative. Support for World Wetlands Day in France. Ramsar's Nathalie Rizzotti explains: "For the second consecutive year, the Danone-Evian Fund for Water is helping the French NGO LPO (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux) to organize about 40 free animations in the field and to edit a brochure about wetlands’ importance, in support of the Ramsar World Wetland Day." Brief report. [02/04/09]

From the Ramsar Forum. Bird censuses in China. “Does anyone know if there are consistent time-series bird census data, covering at least the last 5 years, for any species, on a provincial basis (covering as many provinces as possible)? Thanks in advance for any help. Alex.” -- Alexander de Sherbinin, Deputy Manager, NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC), CIESIN, The Earth Institute at Columbia University (adesherbinin@ciesin.columbia.edu). [03/04/09]

Kazakhstan names important Caspian Sea site. The government of Kazakhstan has designated as its second Wetland of International Importance, effective 10 March 2009, the Ural River Delta and adjacent Caspian Sea coast(111,500 hectares, 46 58’N 51 45’E), part of North Caspian Nature Reserve. According to Ramsar's Assistant Advisor for Asia/Oceania, Ann Aldersey, the site is a unique river delta wetland in western Kazakhstan along the northern shore of the Caspian Sea, comprising a large variety of marine/coastal and inland wetland types. Due to its mixed water supply and seasonal variation, the site has a range of marine and freshwater habitats and supports considerable numbers and diversity of species, notably 13 IUCN threatened bird species. The site is significant for large numbers of nesting, moulting and migratory species, among them appreciable numbers of Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) (22,000), Mallard (Anas platerhynchos) (12,000) and Teal (Anas querquedula) (44,000). The Ural River is significant as a spawning ground for a number of Caspian Sea sturgeon fish species. The site supports more than 460 species of vertebrate animals, including 76 species of fish, 20 species of reptile, 292 bird species and 48 species of mammals. The site is important for transport, and also supports farming activities (pasture, cropping) and tourism. Intensive fishing, navigation and exploration all pose threats to the ecological character of the wetland. A management plan has been prepared for the site. [31/03/09]

Wetland workshop for Pacific Islands. "The five Pacific Island signatories to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands recently completed a one-week training session from 10-13 March, designed to enhance sustainable management of their important wetland sites. The Pacific island parties to the Convention: Fiji, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, were brought together in an informal and interactive setting to familiarise with the Ramsar management planning process and format. It was a week of ‘hands on’ work to develop draft management plans for Ramsar sites and other priority national wetland sites. The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) coordinated the one-week training in partnership with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat and IUCN Oceania, in Nadi Fiji." Ramsar's Lew Young and Vai Jungblut were there, and here is the illustrated report. [31/03/09]

Training opportunities.Certificate of Advanced Studies in IWRM. “The Bern University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland is offering a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) on "Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) in the context of Developing and Transition Countries" from August 24 to September 4, 2009. This course is concerned with the process of promoting the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Participants will be trained to consider water-related problems from an integrated and global point of view, derive and discuss possible solutions and propose potential activities in a local context. They will improve their management and monitoring skills with regard to water projects in Developing and Transition Countries." The brochure can be downloaded here. More information here. [31/03/09]

Southeast Asian nations share Ramsar experiences. “South-East Asia's wetlands are very important for biodiversity, national economies and the wellbeing of human communities. . . . Thailand recently hosted a round table and study tour, involving government and civil society organisations from Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam, to share experience with Ramsar implementation. The visit was organised by BirdLife International and hosted by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Thailand’s Ramsar Administrative Authority (RAA)) and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST, BirdLife in Thailand).” Here is the brief informative report from BirdLife International's Web site, with some additional photos sent by Simba Chan. [27/03/09]

News from the SGF. Japan supports Small Grants Fund project in Bangladesh. The government of Japan has indicated that they will continue to provide generous voluntary support for the Ramsar Small Grants Fund. Japan has committed up to CHF 37,969 funding for the 2008 SGF round, which will be invested in the promotion of the wise use of the wetlands in the southwest coast of Bangladesh. The project will be implemented by the Coastal Development Partnership and will focus particularly on the Sundarbans Reserved Forest Ramsar Wetlands, working with local NGOs, communities, businesses, decision makers and the fishing industry to highlight the value of the wetlands and advocate for their wise use. The Secretariat gratefully recognizes the government of Japan’s long-time support of the Small Grants Fund. [26/03/09]

Vacancy announcement.AEWA seeks African Initiative coordinator. The secretariat of Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) has announced a consultancy position as Coordinator for the African Initiative, with an applications deadline of 15 May 2009. Here is the announcement (PDF). [26/03/09]

Scientific & Technical Review Panel (STRP) members appointed for 2009-2012. Following the call for nominations for the STRP for 2009-2012 made in December 2008, the STRP Oversight Committee has reviewed all nominations and has appointed the STRP members to serve for the 2009-2012 cycle. The list of appointed members is provided here (PDF). In view of the fact that the Oversight Committee received many more nominations of highly qualified experts than could be appointed Panel for this cycle, the Committee has also invited a number of these nominees to act as "STRP Invited Experts" for 2009-2012, and a list of those experts who have accepted this role will be posted soon. The first full meeting of the STRP for the 2009-2012 cycle (STRP15) will take place at the Secretariat offices in Gland, Switzerland, from 30 March to 3 April 2009. The main focus of the meeting will be to develop the Panel's 2009-2012 Work Plan from the instructions and prioritisation provided by COP10 Resolution X.10 on future scientific and technical priorities for the Convention -- the draft agenda is available here (PDF). -- Nick Davidson, Deputy Secretary General [23/03/09]

Turkmenistan becomes 159th Contracting Party. The Secretariat is delighted to announce that Turkmenistan has completed the accession formalities with UNESCO and has joined the Ramsar Convention, as amended by the Protocol of 1982, as its 159th Contracting Party. The Convention will enter into force for Turkmenistan on 3 July 2009.

As its obligatory first Wetland of International Importance, the new Party has designated Turkmenbashy Bay(267,124 hectares, 39°48’N 053°22’E) comprising several bays of the Caspian Sea that are separated from the open sea by the Krasnovodskiy and North Cheleken spits. The site includes shallow brackish bays with open access to one another and separated from the sea by the sandy spits; sandy/shelly spits, islands, and dunes overgrown with halophytes; and stony islands in Balkan Bay, including the largest, Dagada, with an area of 120 ha. The coastal shallow waters are part of the largest flyway, and also the largest wintering area, of waterbirds nesting in Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, and other regions of central and northern Asia. The site also supports 1% of the biogeographical population of the Caspian seal, Phoca caspica. The strictly protected Hazar State Reserve covers most (72%) of the Ramsar site, but in other parts fishing and hunting make a significant contribution to the local economy. The fact that much of the site remains in a near-natural state and the waters are relatively clean ensures the tourist potential of the area; presently several hundred thousand people visit the area, and a multi-billion-dollar international tourist zone is planned for nearby which will increase the possibilities for ecotourism. Potential threats from further development of oil and gas terminals in the area demand careful attention. [23/03/09]

Now available.Secretary General at the World Water Forum. An audio (MP3) file of a brief interview by IUCN with Ramsar Secretary General Anada Tiéga on the importance of natural infrastructure for water resources. From the IUCN Web site: http://www.iucn.org/waterforum/multimedia/?2879/Rivers-of-fire. [20/03/09]

World Migratory Bird Day 2009. The Secretariats of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) and the Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP/CMS) are glad to announce the countdown for World Migratory Bird Day 2009. The two-day awareness raising campaign will take place globally for the fourth consecutive year from 9-10 May 2009. This year the central theme of World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is “BARRIERS TO MIGRATION”, highlighting the threat posed by man-made obstacles to birds during their annual migration. Read more here and visit the WMBD Web site. [18/03/09]

Now available.Radar techniques in action: Keoladeo Ramsar site. "Explored and Demonstrated Potential Applications of Multi-parametric Synthetic Aperture (SAR) In Wetland Studies In Context of Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India", presented at 2nd Annual Research Seminar on Keoladeo National Park (2ndARS-KNP) on 15-Mar-2009 at KNP, Bharatpur, India. The seminar was jointly organized by KNP, Forest Department of State of Rajasthan (India) & WWF. -- Hari Shanker Srivastava, Regional Remote Sensing Service Centre (RRSSC), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Dehradun, India. [17/03/09]

Vacancy announcement.Coordinator, IUCN Caribbean Initiative. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, Mesoamerican and Caribbean Regional Office, is seeking a “Coordinator, IUCN Caribbean Initiative”. Expected start date: April 15, 2009. Details here in PDF:

Ramsar visit to Seychelles. At the State House in Victoria, Mahé, 10 March 2009, the Ramsar Secretary General, Anada Tiéga, met with H.E. James A. Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, to discuss the implementation of the Convention in the country since its accession in 2004 and consider possible actions to strengthen it in the future. Based on his and colleague Abou Bamba’s visits to selected wetlands and talks with government and private sector managers during their stay, Mr. Tiega expressed his appreciation and satisfaction to the President regarding the implementation of the Convention in Seychelles and the way in which the Ramsar wise use principle is applied there. Abou Bamba’s brief illustrated report can be seen here. [13/03/09]

New books.Functional assessment of wetlands.Functional assessment of wetlands: Towards evaluation of ecosystem services, edited by Edward Maltby. “- provides a systematic methodology to evaluate how wetlands function;  - allows non-experts to assess wetland functioning rapidly and cost-effectively;  - automates aspects of the functional assessment through the accompanying CD-ROM;  - gives users the information they need to understand wetland ecosystem services and manage wetlands more effectively.” Available for purchase from Woodhead Publishing. [12/03/09]

News from the SGF.Moldova completes SGF inventory project. The Center for Strategic Environmental Studies ECOS in the Republic of Moldova carried out and successfully concluded an SGF project addressing a baseline inventory of priority wetlands in the Moldovan part of the Danube river basin which should be a part of the Danube River Basin Management Plan to achieve integrated management of water resources in line with EU Water Framework Directive. The Ramsar SGF project allowed Moldova for the first time to make an inventory of all inland and human-made wetlands, including all designated as IBAs and a number of large water reservoirs in the Moldovan part of the Danube river basin. Ramsar's Assistant Advisor for Europe, Nadezhda Alexeeva, provides an illustrated summary of the project results. [05/03/09]

Training opportunities. Wetland construction workshops in the USA and Canada. Thomas R. Biebighauser, Wildlife Biologist, US Forest Service, Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration, South Morehead, Kentucky, USA, provides a listing of wetland construction workshops scheduled for the USA and Canada in the coming months, beginning with one in West Virginia on 21-22 April 2009. See it here. [04/03/09]

Vacancy announcement.Communications managers, WWF. WWF, the global conservation organization, is looking for two Managers, Conservation Communications based at WWF International in Gland, Switzerland. The Managers, Conservation Communications are responsible for designing and implementing external communications strategies that catalyse change, strengthen the brand, offer compelling stories and provide opportunities for action. They also provide a vital link between their conservation portfolio and the Communications and Marketing Division. Apply with covering letter and CV to recruitments@wwfint.org. For more information on the position, please consult the attached job description [PDF]. Deadline for applications: 20 March 2009. [03/03/09]

Mauritania names 4th Ramsar site. The government of Mauritania has added its fourth site to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, Lac Gabou et le réseau hydrographique du Plateau du Tagant (9,500 hectares, 17°56'N 011°52'W). As summarized by Ramsar’s Cynthia Kibata from the Ramsar Information Sheet, the new site is composed of a network of rivers that flow from the mountainous region at the limit of the Sahel and Sahara to form Lac Gabou, with several temporary lagoons and ponds as well as freshwater springs and oases. The presence of this water resource is important as it supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, largely indigenous to the region and of global conservation concern. Of particular note are Phoenix dactylifera and Hyphaene thebaica, two species of palms that are of great economic value, and L’Adansonia digitata and l’Adenium obesum, baobabs found typically in the Sahelian savanna. During periods of adverse conditions, Crocodylus niloticus suchus find refuge at the site;they are known to bury themselves in the muddy pools and trenches until the rainy season begins. Flights of migratory white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and black storks (Ciconia nigra) have been sighted in the area, proving that it is an important flyway for various migratory waterbirds. The main threats occur as a result of limited resources leading to overexploitation and continued desertification typical of the Sahel. [02/03/09]

New CEO for BirdLife. Dr. Marco Lambertini has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of BirdLife International by the BirdLife Global Council and took up this position on 1 March 2009. or the last 10 years, Marco has been Director of Network and Programme at BirdLife. Prior to this he was Director of LIPU (Italian Society for the Protection of Birds/BirdLife in Italy). More details on the BirdLife Web site. [02/03/09]

From the Ramsar Forum.New Web site on seagrass ecology. "Dear Colleagues: Paul Erftemeijer, Curtis Kruer and I are pleased to announce the availability of a new web site with information on seagrass meadow ecology, management and restoration, www.seagrassrestorationnow.com. We are soliciting other papers to include on the site's available papers for download, and links to other similar web sites. We welcome your participation, comments and questions. We would also remind everyone that we also have a similar web site on mangrove forest ecology, management and restoration, www.mangroverestoration.com." -- Roy R. "Robin" Lewis III, Certified Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America.

Now available.SC40 draft agenda. The 40th meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee, the first full business meeting of the newly-elected SC following Ramsar COP10 in November 2008, will take place at the Secretariat's facilities in Gland, Switzerland, 11-15 May 2009. The draft agenda is now ready in English, French, and Spanish versions, and the agenda documentation will be made available over the course of the next month. Here is the English version, with links to the French and Spanish in HTML, Word, and PDF formats. [25/02/09]

Now available. COP10 Proceedings now available on CD. The Secretariat has taken delivery of the CDs of the Proceedings of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties held in Changwon, Republic of Korea, from October 28th to November 4th 2008. We are pleased to make these available upon request to all those who attended the Conference or have an interest in the outcomes. Multiple copies will be sent to the Ramsar Administrative Authorities but further copies can also be requested. The Proceedings include the Conference Report; Resolutions (in Word and PDF), Changwon Declaration, List of Participants, the National Reports submitted to COP10, Information Papers, key PowerPoint presentations delivered during plenary sessions, some photos taken during COP ....and more. Copies can be requested from Montse Riera (riera@ramsar.org). Please remember to include your full mailing address. (Mouse over the image to see the back side of the CD cover). [19/02/09]

Feedback and suggestions are welcome to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail )