What's New @ Ramsar

GBF13 - San José / Final announcement and call for papers

13th Session of the

GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FORUM

Supporting the Ramsar/CBD work programme

Convenors:
The Government of Costa Rica
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
World Resources Institute (WRI)
African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Network (IPBN)
Biodiversity Action Network (Bionet)

in collaboration with:
the Bureau to the Convention on Wetlands(Ramsar, Iran 1971)
the Secretariat to the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)

with the gracious support from the following hosts:
Instituto Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE)
Centro de Derecho Ambiental de los Recursos Naturales (CEDARENA)
Asociación Preservacionista de Flora y Fauna Silvestre (APREFLOFAS)
Asociación Centro de Capacitación del Noratlántico (ACECAN)

The 13^th session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF13 - San José) will take place on 7-9 May 1999, prior to the 7^th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) from 10-18 May 1999 in San José, Costa Rica.

It will focus on designing appropriate mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the Joint Work Plan between the Convention on Wetlands and the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was endorsed at the 4^th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the CBD (May 1998). GBF13 will also focus on synergies between the Ramsar Convention and the other biodiversity-related conventions, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertification, on matters related to the conservation of biodiversity in inland water ecosystems and marine and coastal zones.

Within the GBF, six workshops are proposed: (1) Wetlands and the Private Sector; (2) Mitigating the Impact of Alien/Invasive Species; (3) An Ecosystem Approach to Rehabilitation; (4) The Global Carbon Issue: Peatlands Wise Use and Management; (5) Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ Participation in Wetlands Management and (6) Water Resources Management and Global Change.

The Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) is an independent, open and strategic mechanism to foster analysis and unencumbered dialogue and debate among interested Parties to address priority ecological, economic, institutional and social issues related to the options for action to conserve biodiversity, and use biological resources sustainably and equitably. It is designed to contribute to the further development and implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity-related instruments at the local, national and international levels. It complements intergovernmental processes by: 1) providing a broad spectrum of perspectives, proposals and experiences from all stakeholders; 2) looking for innovative approaches to enrich national policies and inter-sectoral positions; 3) building diverse partnerships among stake-holders (for example, governments, indigenous groups, local communities, NGOs and the private sector); and, 4) identifying areas of agreement and points of conflict on different biodiversity issues.

GBF13 - San José is part of a series of Forums that have been held to assist in the evolution and effective implementation of the CBD. The Forum concept was initially proposed by the Global Biodiversity Strategy (WRI, IUCN, UNEP, 1992). The first formal test of the Forum concept was hosted by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Nairobi in January 1993.

• GBF1-Gland was held in October 1993 prior to the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the CBD.
• GBF2-Nassau was held in November 1994 prior to CBD COP1.
• GBF3-Jakarta was held in November 1995 prior to CBD COP2.
• GBF4-Montreal was held in August 1996 prior to CBD SBSTTA2.
• GBF5-Buenos Aires was held in November prior to CBD COP3.
• GBF6-New York was held in April 1997 in association with a CSD meeting.
• GBF7-Harare was held in June 1997 prior to CITES COP10.
• GBF8-Montreal was held in August 1997 prior to CBD SBSTTA3.
• GBF9-Kyoto held in December 1997 during the Climate Change Convention COP3.
• GBF10-Bratislava was held in May 1998 prior to CBD COP4.
• GBF11-Buenos Aires was held in November 1998, prior to the UNFCCC COP4
• GBF12-Dakar was held in December 1998 during the Desertification Convention COP2.

In addition to the above, regional sessions of the GBF have been held in Latin America, East Africa and Asia.

By Decision III/21 adopted in 1996, the Convention on Biological Diversity has formally designated the (Ramsar) Convention on Wetlands as a leading partner on wetland issues. Moreover, the 4^th meeting of the Contracting Parties to the CBD has adopted a Joint Work Plan with the Ramsar Convention (Decision IV/4). Likewise, Article 8 of the Convention to Combat Desertification calls for cooperation with other Conventions, such as Ramsar and the CBD, with a view to making implementation activities and institutional arrangements mutually supportive. These examples of strategic partnerships highlight the need for the definition of practical synergistic actions that can contribute to maintaining ecological systems, their productivity, biomass and biodiversity. By focusing on themes which are relevant to several instruments, GBF13 will contribute to strengthening the synergy between the Ramsar Convention and the other biodiversity-related conventions which have an interest in the improved management of inland water ecosystems and marine and coastal zones.

Wetlands and the Private Sector (Organisers: Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) and others being sought)

The goods and services provided by wetlands around the world are critical to industry. Yet, as a group, industry has remained on the periphery of global processes regarding the sustainable use and conservation of wetlands. The use of incentives and the involvement of the private sector in biodiversity conservation has been called for in many international fora as a key need and opportunity. Parties to both the CBD and the Ramsar Convention have identified the need to bring the private sector into their decision-making processes. More recently, the Parties to the CBD called for the Executive Secretary to examine "constraints to, opportunities for, and implications of private sector support for the implementation of the Convention" (DecisionIV/12). This workshop will explore the role that the private sector, in particular the fishing, tourism, energy and transport industries, can play in promoting the sustainable use of wetland biodiversity. Emphasis will be placed on linking the wetland community and the private sector, building on case studies which demonstrate successful private sector involvement in wetland conservation.

Focal contact: Ivan Valdespino, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Apartado 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica. Tel. ++(506) 556 0301, ++(506) 556 6431, Fax: ++(506) 556 8417, email: valdespi@catie.ac.cr

Mitigating the Impact of Alien/Invasive Species (Organisers: WWF Australia, IUCN Invasive Species Initiative and others being sought)

Increasing travel, globalisation of the economy, improper management practices, agricultural and other commercial programmes have accidentally or deliberately transported non-indigenous species to wetland ecosystems, where they have become harmful invasives (usually categorised as "pests" or "weeds"). In the case of wetlands, introduced plants and animals have become major problems, to the extent that some invasives are threatening to inhibit wetland functions. Most notorious are the floating water weeds that infest lakes, rivers, swamps and floodplains and the introduced fish and molluscs that affect many water bodies. In the light of this, the 4^th Conference of Parties to the CBD requested its Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to develop guiding principles for the prevention of introduction, and mitigation of impacts, of alien species and to report on those principles and any work programme to its COP5. To assist in this matter, this workshop will examine case studies that will contribute to guidelines for effective identification, risk assessment, incursion management, control programmes and communication to prevent and mitigate the impact of alien/invasive species on wetland ecosystems.

Focal contact: Jamie Pittock, WWF Australia, 5/725 George Street, Sydney 2000. Tel. ++(61) 2 9281 5515, Fax: ++(61) 2 9281 1060, email: jpittock@wwf.org.au

An Ecosystem Approach to Rehabilitation (Organisers: Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management, Society for Ecological Restoration (U.S.A), Fundacio Natura (Barcelona, Spain), IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, and Wetlands International's Wetland Restoration Specialist Group (WRSG))

Parties to both the CBD and the Ramsar Convention are requested to rehabilitate and restore ecosystems. For the CBD this includes marine and coastal habitats, forest and inland water ecosystems. Parties to the Ramsar Convention are recommended to seek and put into operation opportunities for wetland restoration (Recommendation C.4.1), integrate wetland restoration into their national nature conservation, land and water management policies and to take steps to restore, as far as possible, habitat quality in all key sites so identified (Recommendation C.6.15).

This workshop will discuss:

1. What guidance Parties need from these Conventions in deciding when and where rehabilitation should be a priority;

2. Whether taking "an ecosystem approach" can provide a guidance framework for:

• rehabilitation under these Conventions;
• integrating rehabilitation processes into national planning and management for wetland conservation and wise use.

The workshop will draw on practical experience of implementing an "ecosystem approach" to rehabilitation and focus on the challenges involved, such as developing decision making processes to determine goals for rehabilitation and apportioning costs and benefits of rehabilitation.

Focal contact: Lesley Safford, CEM Secretariat, Royal Holloway Institute for Environmental Research, Huntersdale, Callow Hill, Virginia Water, Surrey, GU25, 4NL, UK. Tel. ++(44) 1784 477 404, Fax: ++(44) 1784 477 427, email: l.safford@rhbnc.ac.uk

The Global Carbon Issue: Peatlands Wise Use and Management (Organisers: Environment Canada, Society of Wetland Scientists, International Peat Society, and others being sought)

Despite the fact that peatland ecosystems cover huge areas in both the northern hemisphere and in the tropics, they are now recognised as being an un-represented wetland type in the global network of Ramsar wetlands of international importance. However, efforts by a number of organisations are under way to produce a Global Peatland Action Plan and a series of regional guidelines for the management of peatland ecosystems. At the same time, the Climate Change Convention is emerging as a critical mechanism to foster the wise use of carbon resources and the potential implementation of a global trading mechanism for carbon credits. Since peatlands have been identified as a critical component of the world’s carbon sink and a valuable economic resource, this workshop will discuss the critical role that the Global Peatland Action Plan could play to link the economic and environmental agendas of the Climate Change, Wetlands and Biodiversity Conventions.

Focal contact: Clayton Rubec, Water and Habitat Conservation Branch, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, 3^rd Floor, Place Vincent Massey, Ottawa, Ontario KIA 0H3, Canada. Tel. ++(1) 819 997 1303 or ++ (1) 819 953 0485, Fax: ++(1) 819 994 4445, email: clay.rubec@ec.gc.ca

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities' Participation in Wetland Management (Organisers: WWF International, Indigenous Peoples Biodiversity Network (IPBN), IUCN Social Policy Group)

This workshop aims at facilitating dialogue for the development of appropriate instruments and mechanisms within the Ramsar Convention to ensure effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in wetland management; and to recommend action by the Conference of the Parties on the matter. The workshop discussions will focus on four main issues:

• Participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in wetland management around the world: lessons for national and international policy makers;
• Threatened coastal wetlands: How can the Ramsar Convention support indigenous peoples and local communities engaged their protection and sustainable Use?
• Development of policy tools within the Ramsar Convention to strengthen, expand, and enrich "The Vital Link" between people and wetlands;

• Synergies amongst international instruments and processes relevant to the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in wetland and biodiversity management.

Focal contacts: Gonzalo Oviedo, WWF International, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel. ++(41) 22 364 9542, Fax: ++(41) 22 364 5829, email: goviedo@wwfnet.org  and Alejandro Argumedo, Indigenous Peoples' Biodiversity Network (IPBN), P.O. Box 567 Cusco, Peru. Tel. ++(51) 84 232 603, Fax: ++(51) 84 245 021, email: ipbn@web.net

Water Resources Management and Global Change (Organisers: UK Institute of Hydrology, IUCN Wetlands Programme, IUCN Climate Change Initiative and others being sought).

In the coming decades many countries around the world will be facing serious water shortages. In many instances, water consumption for human use, agriculture and industry will increase many times, thereby seriously threatening the sustainability of freshwater ecosystems. Moreover, freshwater ecosystems are likely to be affected by climate change, to the point that a significant reduction in the extent of freshwater bodies is likely to take place in some regions. Further, land use practices today will influence our ability to adapt to future climate change. This workshop will examine the way in which integrated wetland and water resources management can contribute to mitigating the impacts of unsustainable land management practices, water consumption patterns and changing climate. Another outcome of this workshop will be the development of linkages between the Convention on Wetlands, the CBD and the other environmental instruments (e.g. the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention to Combat Desertification) for which freshwater management has become a priority.

Focal contact: Nick Reynard, Institute of Hydrology, Crowmarch, Gifford, Wallingford, 0X10 8BB, UK. Tel. ++(44) 1491 838 800, Fax: ++(44) 1491 692 229, email: n.reynard@ioh.ac.uk

Its purpose is to complement existing Global Biodiversity Forum activities by making them available to a larger number of participants for a longer period of time. VGBF allows people around the world who cannot attend GBF gatherings the opportunity to participate in discussion on biodiversity-related issues. The VGBF is available to anyone with Internet access, via either email (listserv) or web interface. Up to date information on the GBF13 will be on line 2 weeks prior to the Forum. Consult http://vbgf.geog.ucsb.edu

The list of co-organisers is far from being complete, institutions that are interested in co-organising and/or in participating to the definition of the programme of one or several workshops are strongly encouraged to contact the focal point(s) of the workshops concerned directly, or alternatively the Forum organisers.

Interested individuals from all backgrounds and sectors are invited to submit a 1-2 page abstract by 15 March 1999 for possible presentation at one of the workshops during the Forum. Please use the Abstract Submission Form and, if possible, send in your submission by e-mail to Muriel Rubin (mur@hq.iucn.org). A limited number of papers will be chosen for formal presentation by the workshop organisers on the basis of relevance to the topic, quality, balance among sectors, and geographical balance. The Forum is not an academic seminar, and at least 50 percent of its time will be devoted to open discussions among all participants.

Please use the Pre-Registration Form to notify the Convenors of your intent to participate in the GBF13. The deadline for receiving the participation form is 6 April 1999. Registration can take place on site, however abstracts received at that time will not be reproduced in the forum documentation. A mandatory fee of US$ 25 will be charged during on site registration to help cover costs of refreshments and photocopying.

Very limited financial assistance for airfare and/or per diem may be available for developing country participants chosen to present formal papers or otherwise significantly contribute to the Forum. All participants requiring financial assistance are urged to seek travel support from their own organisations or from the local offices of bilateral or international development assistance organisations.

09:00 – 12:00 GBF Reception at the National Institute of Biodiversity

07:30 - 17:30 REGISTRATION

09:30 -11:00 OPENING PLENARY

11:00 -11:30 Coffee/Tea Break

11:30 - 12:30 Key Note Address, by Prof. Gerardo Budowski, former Director General, IUCN

Introduction to the workshops

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:30 Workshop Sessions - in parallel

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee/Tea Break

16:00 - 17:30 Workshop Sessions - in parallel

09:00 - 10:30 Workshop Sessions - in parallel

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee/Tea Break

11:00 – 12:30 Workshop Sessions - in parallel

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:30 Workshop Sessions - in parallel

15:30 - 16:00 Break

16:00 - 17:30 Workshop Sessions - in parallel

10:00 – 12:00 CLOSING PLENARY

Visas: A valid passport and, if required a visa (refer to the attached Annex 1). Visa formalities must be carried out a minimum of 30 days before travelling (e.g. by 6 April 1999). Please note that Visas will not be granted on sight.

Venue: The GBF 13 will be held at the Melia Confort COROBICI. The hotel and conference centre is just 15 minutes away from the International Airport Juan Santamaria and 10 minutes from the centre of town. The conference centre is next to San José’s largest metropolitan park, two blocks from the Paseo Colòn, a fashionable area of San José.

Transportation: Taxi’s are available at the airport ask for TaxiUnidos, the official GBF taxi company and pay from US $7 – 9 only versus US $13 with the other taxi services.

Simultaneous translation: At this point in time, translation of the Forum discussions into French, Spanish or English cannot be guaranteed. However, participants will be encouraged to speak in any of these languages.

Vaccination: Anti-malaria treatment is recommended.

Currency: The official currency is the Colon and is easier to use than dollars. US. Dollars are the only other currency widely accepted throughout the country. Currency can be exchanged at banks. Most hotels have an exchange counter. You can also exchange money at the International Airport.

Climate: Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between December and early May. Mid-May can be the beginning of the wet season, with heavy showers in the afternoon. San José has a climate, the locals refer to as "Eternal Spring": lows average15° Celsius and highs 26°.

Time difference: GMT minus 6 hours.

Nadene Canning Wacker GBF13-San José, IUCN-The World Conservation Union, 28 Rue Mauverney CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel: ++(41) 22 999 0001, Fax: ++41 22 999 0025, email: ncw@hq.iucn.org 

The following list of hotels is provided for your convenience. It is requested that you make your hotel arrangements via MKI Travel using the attached hotel reservation request form. Should you require further assistance with hotels, please email: ramsarcop7@mkitravel.com   or http://www.mkitravel.com/conference/index.html   or fax: ++(1) 613 233 7813

 Global Biodiversity Forum 13 – San José/Ramsar

PLEASE RETURN WITH 1-2 PAGE ABSTRACT (before 15 MARCH 1999) BY FAX or EMAIL TO:

GBF13 – San José, Muriel Rubin, IUCN-The World Conservation Union, 28 Rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. email: mur@hq.iucn.org  Tel: ++(41) 22 999 0001. Fax: ++41 22 999 0025

Mr/Ms/Dr/Prof.

First name Family name

Organization

Address

Tel ___________________________________

country code - area code - number

Fax ___________________________________

country code - area code - number

E-mail _________________________________

Wetlands and the Private Sector

Mitigating the Impact of Alien/Invasive Species

Towards Guidance for an Ecosystem Approach to Rehabilitation

The Global Carbon Issue: Peatlands Wise Use and Management

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ Participation in Wetland Management

Water Resources Management and Global Change

PLEASE RETURN (before 6 April 1999 ) BY FAX or EMAIL TO: Muriel Rubin, IUCN-The World Conservation Union, 28 Rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. email: mur@hq.iucn.org  Tel. ++ (41) 22 999 0001, Fax: ++(41) 22 999 0025 (If faxing, please print clearly)

Mr/Ms/Dr/Prof:

(First name) (Family name)

Organization:

Street: PO Box:

City: Zip code: State: Country:

Phone: Fax:

(country code - area code - number) (country code - area code - number)

E-mail: Http:

Which workshop(s) will you participate in:

Wetlands and the Private Sector

Mitigating the Impact of Alien/Invasive Species

Towards Guidance for an Ecosystem Approach to Rehabilitation

The Global Carbon Issue: Peatlands Wise Use and Management

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ Participation in Wetland Management

Water Resources Management and Global Change

• GBF1-Gland 7-9 October 1993 prior to ICCBD1
• GBF2-Nassau 26-27 November 1994 prior to COP1
• GBF3-Jakarta 4-5 November 1995 prior to COP2
• GBF-Latin America (Colombia) 26-29 May 1996 1^st regional session
• GBF4-Montreal 31 Aug-1 Sep 1996 prior to SBSTTA2
• GBF1-East Africa (Nairobi) September 1996 2^nd regional session
• GBF5-Buenos Aires 1-3 November 1996 prior to COP3
• GBF6-New-York 3-4 April 1997 prior to CSD5
• GBF7-Harare 6-8 June 1997 prior to COP10 of CITES
• GBF8-Montreal 28-31 August 1997 prior to SBSTTA3
• GBF2-East Africa (Nairobi) 17-19 November 1997 3^rd regional session
• GBF9-Kyoto 6 December 1997 during the COP3 of FCCC
• GBF-Asia (Haikou) 23-25 March 1998 4^th regional session
• GBF10-Bratislava 1-3 May 1998 prior to COP4
• GBF11-Buenos Aires 6-8 November 1998 during the 4^th UNFCCC
• GBF12-Dakar 4-6 December 1998 prior to CCD2

Who do you primarily represent (tick one):

A. Type of activity:

• advocacy NGO (if you mainly act as pressure group, lobbyist, provider of public information)
• field oriented/technical/operational NGO (if you mainly manage action in the field, conduct research, own land devoted to conservation or sustainable use objectives, provide capacity-building alone or with other bodies)
• financing NGO (if you provide funding for the activities of local partner organisations, both governmental or non-governmental)

p grassroots NGO p NGO coalition p international NGO

p Federal level p Provincial/state level

p Ministry p Government agency

p Agency of technical cooperation/overseas agency/development aid agency

p UN family p other international governmental organization

p regional governmental organization

p public university p public research institute p private university

p private research institute p consultancy p private donor p service sector

insurance sector p commercial sector (trade; consumer goods)

p pharmaceutical industry p seed industry p biotechnology industry p tourism industry

p forest industry p agricultural industry p fisheries industry p energy sector

p other production industry

p Representative of one or several tribes p Representative of an indigenous association

p Elder p "Advocate"

p farmer group p community group p social movement p private individual/researcher

p conservation p sustainable use of biodiversity p benefit-sharing p rural development p trade and IPR p economics p finance p education p law

p marine and coastal fisheries p forestry p inland water/freshwater

p agriculture p drylands p mountains

p other (please specify):……………………………………………….

• countries whose citizens do not need a visa for travel to Costa Rica;
• countries whose citizens need to obtain a visa from a Costa Rican consulate;
• countries whose citizens need a previously authorized visa, (that is, a visa requiring the specific authorization of the Immigration Services in San José or of the Ministry of External Relations for travellers holding a diplomatic or official passport).

Please consult the list of countries in the three categories attached as Annex 1. Citizens of countries in categories b) and c) in which there is a Costa Rican consulate must request visas from that consulate early enough in order to ensure that they will have their visa before beginning to travel.

For participants from countries in which there is no Costa Rican consulate and who require a visa, the organizers of the Ramsar COP7 have kindly agreed to assist GBF13 participants with the visa procedures. To facilitate this process the Pre-Registration GBF form must be completed by 6 April and returned to Muriel Rubin. Email mur@hq.iucn.org   or faxed to ++(41) 22 999 0025. Upon reception of the registration form, individuals requiring a visa for Costa Rica will receive a special form to process the visa and intructions on how to do so. Please note that these formalities must be adhered to as the Costa Rican authorities will not provide any on site visas.

Annex 1: Costa Rica visa requirements

Please complete this Form and return by fax or mail to:

234 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 6K6

Telephone: ++ (1) 613 237-9110 or 1 800 267 8676 (within North America)
Fax: ++ (1) 613 233-7813
E-Mail: ramsarcop7@mkitravel.com

o Dr o Mr o Mrs o Miss o Ms

Family Name: First Name:

o Contracting Party Delegate o Observer

Representing: Email:

Address: City:

Country: Postal Code: Tel: ___________

Fax:

Arrival Date: Departure Date:

Please indicate the type of room you would prefer: o Smoking o Non Smoking

Special Requests:_______________

Room rates are quoted in USD and INCLUDE 16.4% local taxes. Room type descriptions are listed in the information section of this brochure. Your reservation will be confirmed only upon receipt of $100.00 deposit.

Cancellations received prior to April 01, 1999 – No Penalty.

Cancellations received as of April 01, 1999 – USD100.00 per room

o I (We) enclose an international money order, or bank draft for $ USD.

Please charge the following credit card:

o Mastercard o Visa o American Express o Diners Card

Cardnumber: Expiry Date:

Name on Credit Card:

I (we) have read and fully understand the registration cancellation policy, stated above, should my (our) hotel reservations be canceled.

I (we) authorize that if payment of deposit is made by credit card that any cancellation penalty incurred be charged to the above card.

 Signature: Date:

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 ).   First posted 22 December 1998, updated version 21 February 1999, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.