Contributions to the Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan during 1996 and 1997

This document, which has been prepared for the 19th meeting of the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee, summarises the actions undertaken by Wetlands International in 1996 or to be undertaken in 1997 in support of the objectives of the Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan 1997-2002.

Key developments that have occurred within Wetlands International during this period have been:

A Memorandum of Agreement has recently been drafted between Wetlands International and the Ramsar Bureau, with the aim of intensifying synergies and cooperation in the light of the new opportunities brought about by the creation of Wetlands International and the adoption of the Convention's Strategic Plan.

The structure of this document follows that of the Convention's Strategic Plan.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 1:
TO PROGRESS TOWARD UNIVERSAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE CONVENTION

Operational Objective 1.1: To endeavour to secure at least 120 Contracting Parties to the Convention by 2002.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 2:
TO ACHIEVE THE WISE USE OF WETLANDS BY IMPLEMENTING AND FURTHER DEVELOPING THE RAMSAR WISE USE GUIDELINES

Operational Objective 2.1: To review and, if necessary, amend national or supra-national (e.g., European Community) legislation, institutions and practices in all Contracting Parties, to ensure that the Wise Use Guidelines are applied.

Operational Objective 2.2: To integrate conservation and wise use of wetlands in all Contracting Parties into national, provincial and local planning and decision-making on land use, groundwater management, catchment/river basin and coastal zone planning , and all other environmental planning and management

Operational Objective 2.3: To expand the Guidelines and Additional Guidance to provide advice to Contracting Parties on specific issues not hitherto covered, and examples of best current practice.

Operational Objective 2.4: To provide economic evaluations of the benefits and functions of wetlands for environmental planning purposes.

Operational Objective 2.5: To carry out environmental impact assessments (EIAs) at wetlands, particularly of proposed developments or changes in land/water use which have potential to affect them, notably at Ramsar sites, whose ecological character "is l ikely to change as the result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference" (Article 3.2 of the Convention).

Operational Objective 2.6: To identify wetlands in need of restoration and rehabilitation, and to implement the necessary measures.

Operational Objective 2.7: To encourage active and informed participation of local communities, including indigenous people, and in particular women, in the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Operational Objective 2.8: To encourage involvement of the private sector in the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 3:
TO RAISE AWARENESS OF WETLAND VALUES AND FUNCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND AT ALL LEVELS

Operational Objective 3.1: To support and assist in implementing, in cooperation with partners and other institutions, an international programme of education and public awareness (EPA) on wetlands, their functions and values, designed to promote nationa l EPA programmes.

Operational Objective 3.2: To develop and encourage national programmes of EPA on wetlands, targeted at a wide range of people, including key decision makers, people living in and around wetlands, other wetland users and the public at large.

Operational Objective 3.3: To improve the Ramsar Bureau's communication activities and to develop a Convention Communications Strategy, capable of further promoting the Convention and its wider application, and of raising awareness of wetland values and functions.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 4:
TO REINFORCE THE CAPACITY OF INSTITUTIONS IN EACH CONTRACTING PARTY TO ACHIEVE CONSERVATION AND WISE USE OF WETLANDS

Operational Objective 4.1: To develop the capacity of institutions in Contracting Parties, particularly in developing countries, to achieve conservation and wise use of wetlands.

Operational Objective 4.2: To identify the training needs of institutions and individuals concerned with the conservation and wise use of wetlands, particularly in developing countries, and to implement follow-up actions.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 5:
TO ENSURE THE CONSERVATION OF ALL SITES INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE (THE RAMSAR LIST)

Operational Objective 5.1: To maintain the ecological character of Ramsar sites.

Operational Objective 5.2: To develop and implement management plans for all Ramsar sites, consistent with the Convention's Guidelines on Management Planning and emphasising the involvement of local communities and other stakeholders.

Operational Objective 5.3: To obtain regularly updated information on wetlands of international importance, in accordance with the approved standard format.

Operational Objective 5.4: To keep under review the content and structure, as well as the hardware and software, of the Ramsar Database, in order to ensure that it retains its relevance in light of evolving information and communication technology.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 6:
TO DESIGNATE FOR THE RAMSAR LIST THOSE WETLANDS WHICH MEET THE CONVENTION'S CRITERIA, ESPECIALLY WETLAND TYPES STILL UNDER-REPRESENTED IN THE LIST AND TRANSFRONTIER WETLANDS

Operational Objective 6.1: To identify those wetlands that meet the Ramsar Criteria, and to give due consideration to their designation for the List.

Operational Objective 6.2: To increase the area of wetland designated for the List of Wetlands of International Importance, particularly for wetland types that are under-represented either at global or national level.

Operational Objective 6.3: To keep under review the Ramsar Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance (Resolution VI.3).

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 7:
TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND MOBILISE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WETLAND CONSERVATION AND WISE USE IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER CONVENTIONS AND AGENCIES, BOTH GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL

Operational Objective 7.1: To identify international and/or regional needs for managing shared wetlands and shared catchments, and develop and implement common approaches.

Operational Objective 7.2: To strengthen and formalise linkages between Ramsar and other international and/or regional environmental conventions and agencies, so as to advance the achievement of shared goals and objectives relating to wetland species or issues.

Operational Objective 7.4: To obtain funds to fulfill obligations contracted under the Convention, notably for developing countries and countries whose economies are in transition.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE 8:
TO PROVIDE THE CONVENTION WITH THE REQUIRED INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND RESOURCES

Operational Objective 8.1: To maximise achievement of Ramsar's mission and objectives by evaluating and, if necessary, modifying the Convention's institutions and management structures.

Operational Objective 8.2: To provide the financial resources required to carry out Ramsar activities.

Operational Objective 8.3: To maximise the benefits of working with partner organizations.

Operational Objective 8.4: To secure at least one million US dollars per annum for the Ramsar Small Grants Fund for Wetlands Conservation and Wise Use (Resolutions 5.8 and VI.6) and to allocate these funds effectively.

For further information on Wetlands International's activities in behalf of the Ramsar Convention, please contact Wetlands International or the Ramsar Convention Bureau. This document was tabled by Dr Michael Moser at the 19th Meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee, 29 October 1996, and posted here on 13 November 1996, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.