Draft programme for the Ramsar Pan-African Regional Meeting

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Draft programme for the Pan-African Regional Meeting, July 1998

DRAFT PROGRAM FOR THE PAN-AFRICAN MEETING OF THE CONVENTION ON WETLANDS

3^rd Pan-African Regional Meeting

Kampala, Uganda, 6 - 10 July 1998

PREAMBLE

The second Pan-African Regional Ramsar meeting took place in September 1994 in Nakuru, Kenya. In addition, two sub-regional meetings were held 12-14 May 1997, Dakar, Senegal and 2-6 February 1998, Pretoria, South Africa.

The Nakuru meeting reviewed implementation of the Convention in Africa and adopted a common position on a number of issues, which was presented at the 6^th Conference of the Parties held in Brisbane, Australia, in March 1996.

The success of the Strategic Plan 1997-2002 adopted in Brisbane, Australia, in 1996 depends to a large extent on the sharing of knowledge and experiences and above all increased regional collaboration on matters of wetland conservation and wise use.

The Kampala meeting will therefore review implementation of the Convention in Africa, and also serve as a preparatory meeting for the 7^th Conference of the Parties due to take place in San José, Costa Rica, in May 1999.

Theme: Pan-African Meeting of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971): "Partnerships for wetland Conservation in Africa"

Objectives:

The main aim of the meeting is to review implementation of the Convention in Africa and a follow up of the recommendations of the Nakuru meeting of 1994, the Brisbane Conference of 1996, and the sub-regional meetings of 1997 and 1998.

The aim of the meeting is to gain a regional overview of the main issues facing wetland conservation and wise use in Africa in order to formulate an action plan for implementation of the Convention in this continent.

This Pan-African Meeting is a great opportunity for African Countries to formulate a "Vision" of the Convention for the first decade of the next century. It would be the contribution of Africa to the forthcoming Conference to the Contracting Parties to be held in San José, Costa Rica, 10-18 May 1999.

Specific aims are:

To develop a common position with respect to the key issues (draft recommendations, resolutions and decisions likely at COP7).

To identify priority actions for strengthening the application of the Convention in Africa.

To exchange information, share experiences, expand networks, increase cooperation.

To nitiate the development of an African Network of Wetlands.

Outputs:

Seek consensus view on African positions for COP7’s key issues.

Draft strategy for improving communication and networking within and outside the region

Participants

The meeting is aimed at policy makers and it is hoped that representatives of the administrative authorities responsible for the implementation of the Convention (or wetland conservation, in the case of observer states) will attend.

OUTLINE OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA

Monday 6 July

Agenda item 1: Opening session (Plenary Session A)

Chair: Uganda

Opening statements:

Regional Representative for Africa (Senegal)

Representative of the Donor Community

Representative of partner organizations (Wetland International, Birdlife International, WWF, IUCN)

Representative of other conventions (CBD, FCCC, CCD, CITES…)

Secretary General, Ramsar Convention

Government of Uganda

Agenda item 2: General presentations and discussions (Plenary Session B)

Appointment of Chairperson & Vice-Chaiperson, rapporteurs of the plenary sessions, adoption of the agenda and rules of procedure.

Agenda item 3: The Ramsar Convention in Africa: current status, trends and perspectives:

National Reports and Regional Overview (Regional Coordinator);

Regional and Alternate Representative’s Reports (Senegal and Uganda);

Outcomes of the sub-regional meetings (Senegal and South Africa).

Agenda item 4: Ramsar COP7 Technical sessions and special interventions

Theme A: Ramsar and Water ( Ramsar Bureau)

Evening events: Welcome Reception organized by Government of Uganda.

Tuesday 7 July

Agenda item 4 (Continued) (Plenary Session B - continued)

Theme B: National Planning for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use (Regional Coordinator and Uganda)

Theme C: Involving local people at all levels (Regional Coordinator and Niger)

Theme D: Tools for assessing and recognizing wetland values (Regional Coordinator and South Africa)

Theme E: The framework for regional and international cooperation (Regional Coordinator and Mauritius)

Chairman’s summary of the outcomes of the Agenda item 2, 3, 4 followed by discussion

Preparation of group discussions

Introductory remarks by Secretary General

Introductory remarks by chairs and moderators of working groups (Workshops)

Workshop 1: Ramsar and Water

Workshop 2: National Planning for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use

Workshop 3: Involving local people at all levels

Workshop 4: Tools for assessing and recognizing wetland values

Workshop 5: The framework for regional and international cooperation

Wednesday 8 July

Parallel Sessions

Working Group 1: ( Fairway hotel)

Working Group 2: (Fairway hotel)

Working Group 3 : ( Fairway hotel)

Thursday 9 July

Excursion to Lake Nabugado, a proposed Ramsar site for Uganda

Friday 10 July

Agenda item 4 (continued), Plenary Session C

Summary of the outcomes of the Working Groups by the chair of each group

Agenda item 5: COP7 ( Secretary General)

Date, venue, theme and programme; Key outputs expected; participation; preparatory steps; COP8 venue

Regional input concerning :

Regional structure

Conclusions and Recommendations

Standing Committee membership

Scientific and Technical Review Panel membership

Budget

Agenda item 6: Concluding Session (Plenary session D)

Concluding Statements :

Representative of partners

Representative of donors

Regional Representative

Secretary General

Government of Uganda

Closing Reception

For further information, 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 ). Posted 27 June 1998, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.