Ramsar intervention to high-level segment of the CBD's COP8

Convention on Biological Diversity

Intervention by the Secretary general to the High level Segment of the CBD CoP8, Curitiba, Brazil, March 28

Madame Chair,

I should like to make a few observations from the perspective of the Ramsar Convention since we held our COP very recently, last November in Kampala, Uganda.

In the discussions at that COP we broadened our normal discussions to include, among other topics, the key role of conserving and wisely using wetlands to assist in the alleviation of poverty. Parties observed that continuous loss and degradation of wetlands and other ecosystems will result in future degradation or reduction of ecosystem services. Maintaining these systems however, will continue to deliver services especially to assist vulnerable people in less developed countries.

Therefore, Madame Chair, we are on parallel tracks between our Conventions, and I am especially pleased at the cooperation between us in areas of shared concern. If we do not start from the basis that biological resources for both human use and ecosystem functioning must be brought into balance, we will continue to promote and use ineffective approaches and tools. We cannot, and must not, do this, and so we will continue to pursue synergies between us, and between all relevant MEAs, so as to assist in the implementation of the 2010 targets.

Thank you, Madame Chair.