AIM

1.  The overall aim of regional initiatives should be to promote the objectives of the Convention in general and to implement the Ramsar Strategic Plan in particular, through regional and subregional cooperation on wetland-related issues of common concern.

The overall aim of new regional initiative – BlackSeaWet - is to catalyse the conservation and sustainable development of Black Sea coastal wetlands.

It will include all the countries in the Black Sea Basin, focusing in particular on coastal wetlands. The Initiative will work through the cooperation of stakeholders (including Contracting Parties, civil society and scientific institutions) in the Black Sea Basin addressing wetland issues of common concern.

Awareness and understanding of environment related issues in the Black Sea Region is not new. Over the last 15-20 years there has been considerable investment of resources in addressing the problems facing in particular the marine ecosystem and specifically related to water pollution. In the Black Sea Basin overall there are a number of formal arrangements already in place between the Black Sea countries, many intergovernmental organisations and international financial institutions (IFIs) with some civil society involvement, and a range of existing initiatives to protect the natural resources of the Black Sea. Most of these exist within the framework of the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (the Bucharest Convention) which was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1994.

However, in practice wetlands have not been high enough on the agenda and have been by and large ignored. There is an overwhelming concentration on pollution related aspects, especially eutrophication. When coastal ecosystems are considered it is often in the context of their role as nutrient sinks. As a consequence the importance of coastal wetland ecosystems for biodiversity and their wider services for people have been weakly addressed in existing initiatives. Furthermore, whilst often alluded to, the role of civil society has not been strong enough meaning that local concerns have not been adequately integrated into planning and implementation.

SUBSTANTIVE ELEMENTS

2.  Regional and subregional initiatives should be based on a bottom-up approach. As a matter of priority, the involvement of as many as possible Contracting Parties of the region or subregion(s) covered by the new initiative should be sought from the start.

The need for the Initiative is well supported by Contracting Parties in the region. The BlackSeaWet concept was originally a recommendation of the workshop on Black Sea coastal wetlands held in Odessa in September 2000 attended by representatives of all the major Basin countries. At this meeting Wetlands International was asked to take the lead in the Initiative’s development. The Initiative was again supported by the Ramsar European Regional meeting in Bled, Slovenia 2001. Most recently Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine, represented by the Ukrainian government (the host country for Wetlands International Black Sea Programme) supported the Initiative during Ramsar COP9, Uganda (see Resolution IX.7). A Dutch funded project starting the Initiative has received letters of support from Bulgaria, Romania, Russian Federation (Krasnodvar Oblast), Turkey and Ukraine.

3.  Each initiative should entail the participation, from the start, not only of the Administrative Authorities responsible for the application of the Convention in the Contracting Parties involved, but also of all other relevant stakeholders with an interest in and directly or indirectly responsible for wetland issues, including the ministries responsible for the environment and water issues, intergovernmental bodies, NGOs, academia, and economic actors.

BlackSeaWet is a bottom up regional initiative, initiated by different stakeholders – ministries, scientific institutions, protected areas, civil society, which have participated in projects on coastal wetlands conservation, lead by Wetlands International. Other key organisations will be identified during start-up of the Initiative. A strong emphasis will be placed on identifying those that are also involved in sustainable development issues in the region as well as environment. This will in particular include civil society whose role is considered to be in addressing sustainable wetland management in the region.

This will ensure that not only is BlackSeaWet built on the needs of a range of different stakeholder types but that it addresses concerns from many different sectors and interests.

4.  A regional initiative should base its operation on the development of networks of collaboration established upon clearly defined terms of reference, thus creating an enabling environment for the involvement of all stakeholders at all levels.

Wetlands International will seek to stimulate the development of collaborative networks as an integral part of the Initiative. The consultative phase in the development of the Initiative will establish the foundations for such networks in the region. National level coordination of the consultation will be overseen by Wetlands International Black Sea Office but coordinated by a national focal point / focal organisation in each country that will establish a national working group which will include key national organisations working on wetlands conservation. These working groups will form the basis for developing a stakeholder consensus on the key strategic activities necessary, including the establishment of collaborative networks and the final vision and portfolio.

5.  At an early stage, a regional initiative should seek collaboration with other intergovernmental or international partners operating in its region, by establishing complementary and non-duplicative activities.

From the early stages of developing BlackSeaWet, this regional Initiative will seek collaboration with other intergovernmental or international partners operating in the region. This will include consultation on the vision and actions to be undertaken and invitation to participate in an international conference. Those with whom collaboration is most likely include:

·     Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission (a letter of support has already been received)

·     Black Sea Commission Advisory Groups

·     Project Implementation Unit of the Black Sea Ecosystem Recovery Project (BSERP)

·     Groups undertaking specific projects under BSERP or other programmes in the region

·     UNDP/GEF

·     Black Sea Regional Activity Centres for Biodiversity and for Integrated Coastal Zone Management

·     Secretariat of the DABLAS Task Force in European Commission DG Environment

6.  The operation of a regional initiative should be based upon strong scientific and technical backing, provided by relevant institutions which should be recognized as partners in the initiative.

It is planned that the following institutions will be consulted in the development of the Initiative:

Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Black Sea Regional Activity Centre for Conservation of Biological Diversity, Georgian Academy of Science, Black Sea Fisheries and Ecology Institute, Institute of Zoology of Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Danube Delta Design and Research Institute, Institute of Marine Research, Southern Branch of Research Institute of Hunting and Animal Production of Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kuban State University, Rostov State University, Black Sea Regional Activity Centre on Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Black Sea Regional Activity Centre on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Institute of Zoology, Institute of Botany, Institute of Hydrobiology, Odessa Branch of the Institute of Biology of Southern Seas, Institute of Market, Economic and Ecological Research), Azov-Black Sea Ornithological Station, Ukrainian Scientific Centre for Marine Ecology, Odessa National University, Melitopol Pedagogical University

7.  The strategic and operational targets of a regional initiative should be fully aligned with the Strategic Plan of the Convention by means of policy and site technical work and activities.

The aims of BlackSeaWet are entirely in line with the mission of the Ramsar Convention and its Strategic Plan 2003-2008.

General Objective 1. The wise use of wetlands: Wise use is needed in the context of territorial spatial planning, water resource, river basin and coastal zone management, agricultural management, and sustainable management of economic activities and other decisions affecting wetlands.

General Objective 2. Wetlands of International Importance: Many Black Sea coastal wetlands are in the list. Maintenance of the ecological character of Ramsar sites is currently one of the most important and difficult tasks. Facilitation of information exchange and stimulation of monitoring of ecological characteristic of coastal wetlands will be important parts of BlackSeaWet.

General Objective 3. International cooperation: It is planned to establish a new level of cooperation between all the main stakeholders in region related to coastal wetlands management, conservation and research.

General Objective 4. Implementation capacity: Once BlackSeaWet’s portfolio of actions is agreed this will form the basis of fund-raising activities that will generate additional resources and capacity for implementation.

Operational Objectives that in the long-term the Initiative is expected to contribute to will include:

1.Inventory and assessment; 2. Policies and legislation, including impact assessment and valuation; 3. Integration of wetland wise use into sustainable development; 4. Restoration and rehabilitation; 9. Communication, education, and public awareness; 10. Designation of Ramsar sites; 11. Management planning and monitoring of Ramsar sites; 12. Management of shared water resources, wetlands and wetland species; 13. Collaboration with other institutions; 14. Sharing of expertise and information; 15. Financing the conservation and wise use of wetlands; 19. International Organization Partners and others; 20. Training.

FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT

8.  A regional initiative requires both political and financial support from Contracting Parties and other partners from the region. A substantial support from the host country is especially important if a regional office is to be established.

The BlackSeaWet initiative has political support from the majority of Black sea countries, which are Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention. Financial support of initial stage of this initiative is partly provided through a Dutch funded project “Establishing the foundations for the launch of a Black Sea Regional Initiative for the wise use of coastal wetlands (BlackSeaWet)”, lead by Wetlands International Black Sea Office, located in Ukraine. During the process being undertaken towards the more formal establishment of the BlackSeaWet initiative, financial support and hosting arrangements will be sought from Contracting Parties.

9.  The launching of a regional or subregional initiative should rely upon secured start-up funding for planned activities and projects.

A Dutch funded project has been secured by Wetlands International to initiate the development of the BlackSeaWet Initiative. Total funding provided by the existing project is 109.961 Euro. The Initiative will:

·         Establish a network of government, civil society and scientific stakeholders in all basin countries

·         Consult all stakeholders on the necessary focus of BlackSeaWet

·         Establish a draft vision for Black Sea Wetlands and accompanying portfolio of Actions

·         Secure endorsement of the Vision and Portfolio through an international conference

·         Engage donors to support implementation of BlackSeaWet

10.   Financial support from the Convention’s core budget, should the Conference of the Parties so decide, will be provided for a pre-determined period of time – in principle not more than three years. After such a period, the support should be phased out. A regional initiative should generate its own resources and should become financially self-sufficient in the long term. When deciding financial support from the Convention’s core budget, geographically equitable distribution should be taken into account.

Wetlands International has secured funding to initiate BlackSeaWet, sufficient to engage 5 countries in the basin (Euro 110.000). It is requesting co-funding from Ramsar Convention to a total of 61.700 to extend the geographical coverage to include the three countries that are ineligible in the under the project so far secured (Armenia, Georgia, Republic of Moldova). A more detail breakdown is provided below.

GOVERNANCE

11. Regional initiatives should establish their own advisory mechanisms, involving all the stakeholders, in order to provide guidance and insight. The Conference of the Parties and the Standing Committee shall receive, through the Ramsar Bureau, reports on their activities and shall oversee their general policies relating to the implementation of the Convention.

The Initiative will include the development of an agreed structure and implementation mode. This will undoubtedly include stakeholder driven advisory mechanisms engaging representatives from Contracting Parties, civil society and scientific institutions.

12. Specific arrangements as to the coordination between a regional initiative and the Convention should be worked out by the Ramsar Bureau under the guidance of the Standing Committee, and such arrangements should ultimately be approved by the Conference of the Parties.

During the development of the Initiative in the coming period, Wetlands International will actively engage with the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention to ensure they are kept informed of progress and to assist them in establishing the best arrangements for coordination. Towards the end of the consultative phase an international conference will be held with all the main stakeholders and it is anticipated that this will be the best time formally present and discuss plans for coordination with the Convention.