Key Documents of the Ramsar Convention

Diplomatic notification 2002/2: Amendment of the Convention

Notification 2002/2

A request to initiate the process to amend the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat

[Annexed letter from Algerian authorities]

REPUBLIQUE ALGERIENNE DEMOCRATIQUE ET POPULAIRE

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF FORESTS

No. 1655/BOG/50/DPFF/DGF/200 Alger, 26 DEC. 2001

[Translation of letter to the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention from the Director General of Forests, Ministry of Agriculture, Ramsar Convention Administrative Authority in Algeria]

Subject: The Amendment Process

The importance that should be accorded to seeking new sources of financing in order to meet the enormous needs of developing countries is undeniable.

Algeria, being aware of these important stakes, strongly encourages the Ramsar Convention Bureau to study ways and means of assisting Contracting Parties in order to guarantee the effective application of the wise use of wetlands concept. Experience has shown that this is achieved by training and capacity building of Ramsar authorities.

By means of this letter, and following the measures foreseen in Article 10bis of the Ramsar Convention, we have the honour to ask you to initiate a process of amendment of the Convention which would permit an extraordinary meeting to take place during COP8 in Valencia, Spain.

The amendments proposed by Algeria are attached to this letter (here cited in Diplomatic Note 2002 / 2) and concern the following articles:

Article 2, paragraphs 1,4,5 and 6. Articles 9, paragraphs 2 and 4.

Having no doubt of the importance which you will attach to this proposition, I remain etc.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org).  Posted 28 January 2002, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.