Water and Wetlands in the Mediterranean – the next 20 years

At the time when the global Ramsar family meets in Bucharest for COP11 in July 2012, wetland specialists from around the Mediterranean Sea will gather for their 11th meeting of the Mediterranean Wetlands Committee, the governing body of MedWet, the longest established Ramsar regional initiative that was originally conceived in 1991. On this occasion, nearly 300 participants looked back at the achievements of this regional programme of cooperation for water-related ecosystems during a major conference in Agadir, Morocco, last February. More [23/05/12]

The International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May 2012 - Message from Anada Tiéga, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention

Every 22 May, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands joins in worldwide celebrations of the International Day for Biological Diversity – an opportunity for the Convention to reaffirm its commitment to the importance of wetlands for the planet’s biodiversity and human wellbeing, as well as its active engagement with the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The theme for this year, “Marine Biodiversity”, underlines the need to actively engage in maintaining marine and coastal biodiversity in a world where pressures on coastal regions for economic development are particularly high. An estimated 60% of the world’s human population live on or close to the coast, which is directly or indirectly causing many stresses affecting sustainability in the coastal zone, such as loss of habitat, increased pollution, accelerated sea-level rise, and interruption of flow of water and sediments. Many of these problems seriously affect coastal wetlands and their capacity to continue to provide vital functions for people and biodiversity in these areas. More [22/05/12]

Briefing Note on wetland restoration

The fourth entry in the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel’s Briefing Notes series is The benefits of wetland restoration, by Sasha Alexander, STRP Representative of the Society for Ecological Restoration, and Robert J. McInnes, STRP Representative of the Society of Wetland Scientists. The 20-page paper reviews the importance of wetland ecosystem services and the role of restoration in maintaining them, with brief case studies, describes methods of prioritizing potential restoration projects, and provides a wealth of links to additional materials. (PDF) [18/05/12]

World Migratory Bird Day 2012 highlights the close relationship between birds and people

World Migratory Bird Day 2012 will be celebrated this weekend (on 12 – 13 May) with the theme “Migratory birds and people – together through time”. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is a global awareness-raising campaign being jointly organised by AEWA and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and other key partners highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.

Since World Migratory Bird Day began in 2006, events have been carried out in 104 countries with public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions being carried out to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day. Details of this event and many others taking place around the world can be found on the WMBD website: www.worldmigratorybirdday.org. [10/05/12]

 Who's Where?

Lew Young, Senior Regional Advisor for Asia-Oceania will be based in Hong Kong from 14 – 18 May and then in Vietnam from 19 – 24 May. In Vietnam, he will be attending a forum on “Nature and culture conservation for the sustainable development of Mekong Delta” as well as visiting the Tram Chim National Park to attend the ceremony to celebrate its recent designation as a Ramsar Site. [15/05/12]

Paul Ouédraogo, Senior Regional Advisor for Africa is in Khartoum, Sudan from 12 to 18 May for a joint Desk Study with UNEP/DPCM/DEPI. He will facilitate a Planning Workshop for Wetlands Inventory and Assessment in Sudan on 15 May 2012. [14/05/12]

DSG Nick Davidson is attending AEWA COP/MOP5 in La Rochelle, France all of this week. [14/05/12]

For more old Ramsar Secretariat travel news, see also 'Who Was Where', 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 , 2012

Yesterday's News

COP11 Draft Resolutions translated in Arabic and Russian languages

To facilitate and promote participation of Contracting Parties from Arabic and Russian speaking regions in the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention (COP11), the Ramsar Secretariat has made unofficial translations of all the COP11 Draft Resolutions with generous financial support from the Satogaeri (Homecoming) Ink Jet Cartridge Recycling Project through UNEP. All the translations will be available on the COP11 webpage by mid-June 2012.

For Arabic translations please visit this link: www.ramsar.org/COP11-DRs-Arabic/

For Russian translation, please visit this link: www.ramsar.org/COP11-DRs-Russian/

Important note: Since Arabic and Russian are not official languages of the Convention, the translations are considered UNOFFICIAL. [09/05/12]

New publication: Wetlands and culture in Japan

A new publication from Wetlands International, Japan, brings together some key findings on wetlands and culture. This 72-page, full-colour publication provides a brief introduction to their definition of wetland culture and explains the rationale of the three groups, and then presents 33 selected cases studies. More [08/05/12]

Ramsar Convention and the University of Senghor, Alexandria (Egypt): Joint Action Course on African Wetlands

Since 1st May 2012, twelve students from the University of Senghor of Alexandria (Egypt) are attending a course on wetlands issues in several Francophone African countries. More [07/05/12]

France designates network of 14 Caribbean ponds

The Secretariat is delighted to announce that France has designated its 41st Wetland of International Importance, called "Zones humides et marines de Saint-Martin", a Protected Biotope and Nature Reserve on the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin. Read more. [01/05/12]

Finland opens new wetland centre at the Liminganlahti Ramsar Site

First declared a Ramsar Site in 2004, this 12,275-hectare bay is the perfect site for a state-of-the-art wetland centre. It is a bird watchers paradise but also a place of beauty for those who simply enjoy open, natural spaces. The opening of the centre took place on the 27th April with a keynote speech from the Secretary of State in the Ministry of the Environment, Katarliina Poskiparts, who expressed her hopes for its long-term success locally, nationally and internationally. The centre is focussed on Liminganlahti wetland and how it changes throughout the year, with hands-on exhibits, wonderful photographs and illustrations, a fascinating look at traditional fishing activities as well as a gift shop and restaurant. The opening on the 27th was followed on the 28th by an international photo exhibtion that attracted over 2,500 visitors. More [01/05/2012]

Drugeon Basin Ramsar Site in the spotlight

“Sustainable Development in Lake Areas” was the topic of a project bringing together actors from a dozen European countries and Ramsar Sites through a series of five interactive workshops in Estonia (lake Vörtsjärv), Poland (Milicz fishponds), Slovenia (Triglav mountain lakes), Greece (Nestos delta) and, on 18-21 April 2012, in the Drugeon and upper Doubs valleys in France. The main objective of the project was to support local initiatives in sustainable development by exchange of good practices to increase the capacities of private actors, NGOs and local authorities in environmentally sensitive areas. More [26/04/12]

Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee launches website to promote the wise use and protection of all their wetlands

The Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee was set up by the Irish Government in November 2010 to assist Ireland in meeting its requirements as a signatory to the Ramsar Convention. To celebrate World Wetlands Day in February 2012 in Ireland, the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee launched their new website www.irishwetlands.ie. More [25/04/12]

Desde La Patagonia Plan de Manejo del Sitio Ramsar Bahía Lomas e Inauguración del Centro Interpretativo

El Ministerio del Medio Ambiente de Chile, presento el pasado 18 de Abril el plan de manejo para el sitio Ramsar Bahía financiado por el Fondo de Pequeñas Subvenciones de la Convención Ramsar así como con los aportes de Manomet Center. En el 2007, se dio inició a este proceso participativo tendiente a la elaboración de un plan de manejo para el sitio y la instalación de un Comité Promotor de Bahía Lomas entre autoridades ambientales, Conama hoy Ministerio de Ambiente y territoriales, Comuna de Primavera, así como el sector privado, representado por la Agencia Nacional del Petróleo-ENAP y la Academia con la Universidad Santo Tomas. Leer más. [24/04/12]

Ted Hollis Scholarship in Wetland Hydrology and Conservation

The UCL Department of Geography seeks applicants for the Ted Hollis Scholarship in Wetland Hydrology and Conservation. The Scholarship is targeted at overseas students, preferably from less developed countries, who are academically exceptional and would otherwise be unable to study at one of Britain's leading universities.

The Scholarship will support a post-graduate student undertaking research leading to a PhD in the field of wetland hydrology and conservation. It is intended that the successful candidate will join the Department from the beginning of the 2012/13 session (September 2012). The closing date for applications is 8 June 2012. Details of application procedures are on the UCL Department of Geography’s web site here. [24/04/12]

Ramsar Regional Centre – Central and West Asia: New Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Sadegh Sadeghi Zadegan has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Ramsar Regional Centre – Central and West Asia. The centre was endorsed in 2005 as one of the Regional Initiatives of the Ramsar Convention and it has since played an important role in supporting the implementation of the Convention in Central and West Asia.

Mr. Sadeghi Zadegan has a B.Sc. in Agronomy and Plant Breeding and a M.Sc. in Environment Science, working on a thesis entitled "Bird Strike Risk Assessment for the Country's Airports". He initially worked for the Iranian Department of Environment as an Ornithological Expert, and then as Deputy Director Wildlife and Aquatic Affairs Bureau. From 2003 to 2010, he was also the National Project Manager for the UNEP/GEF Siberian Crane Wetlands Project. Mr. Sadeghi Zadegan is familiar with the work of the Ramsar Convention through being the CEPA and STRP National Focal Points from 1998- 2002. He is presently also the CMS National Focal Point for the MoU concerning Conservation Measures for the Siberian Crane, and he was the National Delegate for Wetlands International from 1998-2007.

The Ramsar Convention Secretariat looks forward to working with Mr. Sadeghi Zadegan (email: sadegh64@hotmail.com).

SG Anada Tiéga celebrates Earth Day in Panama Bay Ramsar Site

Panama City, Panama. (22 April, 2012) - Earth Day is celebrated worldwide on 22 April, a day that invites reflection on the importance of our natural resources and particularly on fragile ecosystems such as mangroves.

The National Wetlands Committee of Panama celebrated Earth Day with the visit of the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, Anada Tiéga, to Panama Bay Ramsar Site, a Wetland of International Importance, a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site and a protected area in Panama that is valued for the ecosystem services it provides. More | Español [23/04/12]