Key Documents of the Ramsar Convention

Memo of Cooperation on the Global Biodiversity Forum: IUCN and the Ramsar Bureau

MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

Between

IUCN - The World Conservation Union

And

The Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)

On

The Global Biodiversity Forum

Recognizing the role of IUCN - The World Conservation Union, herein referred to as "IUCN", as a leading international institution addressing issues related to the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from this use;

Noting that IUCN - The World Conservation Union serves as the Secretariat for the Global Biodiversity Forum, a mechanism to improve stake-holder involvement in and dialogue on key biodiversity issues;

Noting that the Convention on Wetlands has a Joint Work Plan with the Convention on Biological Diversity, formally adopted by CBD COP 5 (May 2000);

Noting that the Ramsar Convention has substantively supported several sessions of the Global Biodiversity Forum, in particular the 13^th session of the GBF held prior to the 7^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to Ramsar (May 1999, Costa Rica);

Aware that the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention, herein referred to as "the Ramsar Bureau", and IUCN are eager to cooperate with each other, and with other relevant institutions to promote the effective implementation of the CBD;

The Ramsar Bureau and IUCN hereby decide as follows:

Article 1. Cooperation

1. The Ramsar Bureau and IUCN will cooperate in convening sessions of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) in conjunction with meetings relating to the Ramsar Convention, the CBD and other relevant multilateral environmental agreements.

2. The IUCN and the Ramsar Bureau will cooperate in convening regional sessions of the GBF, wherever possible .

3. The IUCN and the Ramsar Bureau will encourage States and other institutions to support the work of the GBF, both financially and technically.

4. The Ramsar Bureau will be noted as a regular convenor of the GBF.

5. The Ramsar Bureau will be granted an ex-officio status on the Steering Committee of the GBF.

6. The IUCN and the Ramsar Bureau will institute measures to ensure consultation on the implementation of this Memorandum of Cooperation, and will explore opportunities for financial support on agreed areas of collaboration.

7. The Ramsar Bureau will endeavour to provide the GBF the opportunity to communicate the results of its discussions to the meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and to other appropriate organs of the Convention.

Article 2. Focal points

a) The focal point for this Memorandum within the Ramsar Bureau will be its Secretary General.

b) The focal point for this Memorandum within IUCN will be its Chief Scientist as head of IUCN's Biodiversity Policy Coordination Division.

c)    Both institutions may designate additional focal points on issues of mutual concern.

Article 3. Review, amendment and termination

This agreement may be reviewed and amended at the request of either party and will be terminated by either party giving a one-year written notice.

Done at Gland, on 29 August 2000

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 15 September 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.