The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Draft programme for the Ramsar Pan-American Regional Meeting, 17-20 June 1998

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

San José, Costa Rica, 17-20 June 1998

Review of the implementation of the Convention and challenges for the future

The main objective of the meeting will be to make an overview of the implementation of the Strategic Plan 1997-2002 in the Neotropical and North American regions. In the light of the forthcoming COP7 (San José, Costa Rica, 10-18 May 1999) an analysis of new challenges in wetland conservation and wise use will be done, with the idea of formulating the continent’s vision for the turn of the century.

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Tuesday, 16^th June

Arrival of participants

Wednesday, 17^th June

Welcoming Statements

• Secretary General of the Convention
• Regional Representatives in the Standing Committee
• Minister of the Environment and Energy, Costa Rica

General introduction to the meeting

• election of Chair and Vice Chair persons of the meeting
• adoption of agenda
• rules of procedure

Reports of progress by Standing Committee and STRP since Brisbane (1996)

• Regional Representatives in the Standing Committee
• Members of STRP

Overview of COP7 by Costa Rican Coordinator of COP7 and Secretary General

• Progress in organisation aspects
• Conference Program and expected outputs
• National Reports, Regional Overview, submission of draft decisions, requests for travel assistance, displays at the Conference
• Introduction to issues for possible decision at the end of the Pan-American meeting: regional structure, Standing Committee composition, Scientific and Technical Review Panel composition, budget, draft decisions and others

Implementation of the Convention in the Neotropical and North American Regions. The Strategic Plan 1997-2002: progress and obstacles

Introduced by Deputy Secretary General and Regional Coordinator, followed by brief discussion of each of the eight General Objectives of the Strategic Plan 1997-2002, with contributions from each Contracting Party.

Thursday, 18^th June

Technical Sessions at COP7 (in plenary)

Theme A: Ramsar and water (COP7 Technical Session I) Introduction to the subject by the Bureau

"Current initiatives" (or similar title) by World Bank (WB) or Organization of American States (OAS)

Input from participants: other issues in this field of importance for the Neotropical and North American Regions

Working Groups to discuss Theme A, and presentation of conclusions.

Theme B: National planning for wetland conservation and wise use (COP7 Technical Session II) Introduction to the subject by the Bureau

"National Wetland Policies, Legislation, EIA" by Canada

"The case of Trinidad and Tobago" by Trinidad and Tobago and/or the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Input from participants: other issues in this field of importance for the Neotropical and North American Regions

Working Groups to discuss Theme B, and presentation of conclusions.

Theme C: Involving people at all levels in the conservation and wise use of wetlands (COP7 Technical Session III)

Introduction to the subject by the Bureau

"Involving local and indigenous people" by Brazil

"Working with communities" by Caddo Lake Institute (USA)

Input from participants: other issues in this field of importance for the Neotropical and North American Regions

Working Groups to discuss Theme C, and presentation of conclusions.

Friday, 19^th June

Technical Sessions at COP7 (cont.) (in plenary)

Theme D: Tools for assessing and recognizing wetland values (COP7 Technical Session IV) Introduction to the subject by the Bureau

"Economic valuation of wetlands" by IUCN-ORMA (Regional Office for Mesoamerica)

"Loss of wetlands, biological and social impacts, their restoration/rehabilitation, the case of the Everglades, USA" by US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Input from participants: other issues in this field of importance for the Neotropical and North American Regions

Working Groups to discuss Theme D, and presentation of conclusions.

Theme E: The framework for regional and international cooperation regarding wetlands (COP7 Technical Session V) Introduction to the subject by the Bureau

"Cooperation with other Conventions and institutions" by Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD)

Input from participants: other issues in this field of importance for the Neotropical and North American Regions

Working Groups to discuss Theme E, and presentation of conclusions.

Theme F: Training and capacity building (Strategic Plan 1997-2002, General Objective 4)

"The Wetlands for the Future Initiative" by US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Input from participants: other issues in this field of importance for the Neotropical and North American Regions

Working Groups to discuss Theme F, and presentation of conclusions.

 Saturday, 20^th June

Regional positions in relation to

• Regional Structure
• Standing Committee composition
• Scientific and Technical Review Panel composition
• Budget
• Issues not covered in the COP7 agenda
• Possible draft decisions submitted on behalf of the Contracting Parties present at this Pan-American Meeting

Concluding remarks

• Secretary General
• Regional Representatives in the Ramsar Standing Committee
• Government of Costa Rica

Sunday, 21^st June

Field trip to Ramsar site/s, optional.

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 ramsar@ramsar.org). Posted 28 March 1998, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.