Key Documents of the Ramsar Convention

Memorandum of Cooperation with Ducks Unlimited

[español] Coming soon in Spanish

Memorandum of Cooperation

between

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

and

Ducks Unlimited

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the continuing important role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of the Convention on Wetlands, including the support provided by them to the Ramsar Bureau;

AWARE of the strong, active and significant contribution that Ducks Unlimited (DU) is making internationally regarding the sustainable use of natural resources and implementation of environmental conventions;

FURTHER AWARE that the conservation aims of DU and the aims expressed in the text of the Ramsar Convention, as interpreted by a number of decisions of the Conference of the Parties, and in particular in the Work Plan 2000-2002 adopted by the 7^th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, are fully compatible; and

DESIRING to formalise in an explicit and enduring manner a joint commitment of intent to seek productive partnership collaboration in respect of the conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide;

The Bureau of the Ramsar Convention and DU therefore decide as follows:

1. Ducks Unlimited will endeavour to use its networks of partners, representatives, Associate Organizations and individual experts to assist and further the work of the Ramsar Convention, in line with the Convention’s Work Plan 2000-2002.

2. Ducks Unlimited will incorporate the promotion of the wetland conservation and wise use agenda of the Ramsar Convention in its programmes of work at international, regional and national levels, as appropriate.

3. Ducks Unlimited will, in particular, promote a high level of recognition, where relevant, of the status of sites included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, or candidate sites for listing, in programmes relating, for example, to the identification and conservation of important sites for waterbird species.

4. Ducks Unlimited will promote enhanced awareness and understanding of all aspects of the Ramsar Convention through DU’s networks, and will provide support, in appropriate ways, to the promotion of increased general public awareness of, and sympathy for, the Convention and its aims.

5. Ducks Unlimited will seek to support and complement as appropriate the work carried out in favour of the Convention by Ramsar’s International Partner Organizations.

6. The Ramsar Bureau acknowledges the independent right of Ducks Unlimited to voice its policy position on any matter within the scope of the Convention’s work, recognising that informed and reasoned NGO advocacy is generally a valuable and valid motivating force contributing to the better achievement of the Convention’s mission.

7. The scope for specific initiatives of further cooperation, such as exchanges of staff, joint projects and publications, will be explored.

8. Ducks Unlimited and the Ramsar Bureau will ensure regular exchanges of information about their respective activities, by appropriate means and using all possible avenues.

9. As much as is feasible, Ducks Unlimited and the Ramsar Bureau will take into account each other’s various corporate and strategic planning processes and documents when any of these are being drawn up or reviewed, aiming to enhance synergy among their respective plans, programmes and actions.

10. The parties to this Memorandum will institute consultations to review its implementation, reporting accordingly to their respective governing bodies and inviting further guidance on possible new areas of cooperation.

11. This agreement may be reviewed at the request of either party and will be terminated by either party giving one month written notice.

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 24 July 2001, Sandra Hails, Ramsar.