First day, 14 February 2007

Agenda item 1: Opening statements

1. Paul Mafabi (Uganda), Chair of the Standing Committee, welcomed the members of the Standing Committee (SC), Observer States, and International Organization Partners (IOPs) and wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. He congratulated everyone on their countries' World Wetlands Day activities and said that the reports posted so far show that WWD is gaining more prominence as a tool for raising awareness. He noted that, because of the importance of this year's theme of 'wetlands and fish', Uganda is planning a series of celebrations through to World Fish Day on 21 November.

2. The Chair observed that SC35 takes place halfway through the triennium and that we need to draw the lessons from COP9 in order to prepare effectively for COP10. He pointed to a number of achievements so far, including valuable meetings of the Management Working Group (MWG), the STRP Oversight Committee, the CEPA Oversight Panel, the IOPs, and the Standing Committee Chairs with the Secretariat staff. He noted that we are in the process of developing a new National Report format and that, as we discuss a new Strategic Plan for adoption at COP10, we should reflect upon the success of the present one. He said that there are challenges that impact on the functions of the Convention, such as the legal status of the Secretariat, the Convention's long-term financing, and a funding mechanism for the Small Grants Fund (SGF). He noted the need to ensure that the MWG established by Resolution IX.24 adds value and does not duplicate efforts, and he welcomed suggestions on that matter. He said that we are in the process of recruiting a new Secretary General and drew attention to the accomplishments of the departing SG, Peter Bridgewater, notably in financial and programme matters. The Chair offered his sincere thanks to the SG and the Secretariat staff for the preparations for this week's meetings.

3. Jane Madgwick, Wetlands International, welcomed the participants on behalf of the five IOPs and urged the Committee to take steps to make the Convention become even more visible and effective. She noted that environmental threats are heightening and the need for us to reach out has never been stronger. Recent reports from climate change scientists call for an urgent response from Ramsar, including greater communications, education, and public awareness (CEPA) efforts. The IOPs would support a COP10 Resolution on climate change, as well as greater efforts to establish a relationship between Ramsar and the UNFCCC. On many issues, she said, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment has thrown down the gauntlet, and issues like poverty reduction and food and water security need a larger role in Ramsar. Further attention is needed on water-related issues, and the beginning made by Resolution IX.14 on poverty reduction requires specifics. She said that Ramsar's standing in the development world is relatively weak and we need stronger ties with UN agencies, etc. The Convention can make better use of the IOPs' skills and connections. She noted that the IOPs are taking steps together to analyze gaps in the coverage of Ramsar sites and to monitor their status.

4. Wetlands International welcomed the Secretariat's work through the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) and applauded the new Joint Work Plan between Ramsar and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). She urged that the new Strategic Plan needs to be relevant to the major emerging threats of the next several years. Concerning new arrangements within the Secretariat, she said that the Secretariat needs to build a relationship of trust and cooperation with the IOPs and urged that that should be incorporated in the Strategic Plan. She said that the Strategic Plan should be given adequate financial resources to achieve its goals.

5. Peter Bridgewater, the Secretary General (SG), observed that there are a record number of participants at the meeting. He referred to his recent remarks to the UNEP Governing Council to the effect that on the same day, 2 February, World Wetlands Day (WWD) was widely celebrated around the world, the IPCC launched its Fourth Assessment Report in Paris, and France made new proposals on environmental governance. He said that there are three big issues facing the world: ensuring adequate water for everyone, managing and adapting to climate change, and stemming the loss of biodiversity, which are interlinked and all involve wetlands. Wetlands are especially critical in urban areas. The ecological resilience of wetlands must be maintained. He said that the environmental governance system must respond more promptly and coherently, and the UNEP Government Council is the key place to focus on. He hoped that COP10 would focus on these issues.

Agenda item 2: Adoption of the agenda

6. The draft agenda, revision 2, was adopted by consensus.

Agenda item 3: Admission of observers

7. The Chair noted that Contracting Parties that are not SC members are welcome as observers and the IOPs are permanent observers on the SC, and there are no observers who require to be admitted.

Agenda item 4: Report of the Secretary General (DOC. SC35-2)

8. The SG drew attention to his report and offered to respond to any questions about it. He said the volume of work reported shows considerable progress and a well-functioning system, though challenges remain. He recalled his first SC meeting, in 1993, when there were far fewer participants.

9. The SG made a PowerPoint presentation summarizing and updating his written report. He referred to World Wetlands Day as the best face of the Convention and said that the wider community is picking it up and running with it, and he called 2007 the WWD's best year yet. He noted a supporting mention from the Executive Secretary of the CBD. He said that there are now 154 Parties with more coming soon and he predicted 165 Parties by COP10; that the budget is balanced and the reserve fund nearly restored; that COP10 preparations are well underway; that COP9 Resolutions are being actively implemented; and that Ramsar has a leading role in Biodiversity Liaison Group and water discussions. He reported that many Parties have paid up their arrears; that Danone will renew its support for four more years, especially for WWD; that an arrangement with the Star Alliance may be agreed soon; and that other funding possibilities are being pursued. He noted that cooperation with the GEF is still elusive, but that they have a new CEO who is sympathetic, and he called on the Parties to ensure interaction between their GEF and Ramsar national focal points. He said that a more transparent way of looking at the budget in future is being proposed, but that funding for the SGF remains the conundrum that it has been since 1993.

10. The SG reported that the STRP is working at a high level due to the efforts of the STRP Chair and Vice Chair, as well as the Oversight Committee. He said that we need to remain engaged in the follow-on process from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, and noted that we are also involved in IMOSEB. He said that there has been progress in CEPA and capacity building and that the CEPA Oversight Panel and the Advisory Board on Capacity Building for the Ramsar Convention will be meeting together in June. In environmental governance, he reported that the UN Secretary General has established a "High Level Panel" and said that Ramsar cannot avoid being part of the discussions of that group, which will shape a new landscape in international environmental governance. He said that administrative issues before us include where the Secretariat should be located, an issue that must be discussed in the run-up to COP10. He noted that staff will be impacted by any change and that this must be studied, and he said that Secretariat staff are presently less well remunerated than staff of similar conventions; he noted that we are looking at ways to remedy that, and a COP10 Resolution should address the issue. He drew attention to staff changes, noting that a number of Assistant Advisors are leaving or staying on temporarily in a different capacity, and that a number of new Assistants have newly arrived. He announced that Maria Rivera has accepted to become the new Senior Regional Assistant (SRA) for the Americas and warmly applauded the work of Margarita Astrálaga, who is leaving to become head of the IUCN Malaga office.

11. The SG reviewed progress with new Ramsar sites and Ramsar Advisory Missions and reported new cooperative agreements with UNEP-OCHA, UNEP's GRASP programme, GPA, and the International Ocean Institute, calling attention to the new Joint Work Plan with the CDB that the SC will be asked to endorse. He applauded China's innovations in which the authorities are working closely with WWF China. He said that he expects the Convention to continue in a leadership position and urged that we must reverse the MA's assessment that wetlands are faring the worst among ecosystems.

12. Japan announced that it will finance the 2006 cycle SGF project from Nepal and noted that it supports many other NGO projects, especially in Asia. Japan said that we need to consider a wider use of existing financial mechanisms for funding the SGF. She called attention to the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), launched by the Japanese and US governments, of which Japan and Palau are presently serving as secretariat, and said that 2008 will be the International Year of Coral Reefs, encouraging Ramsar to participate in that.

13. BirdLife International noted that in DOC. SC35-2 para. 61, BirdLife should be added to the partners in the East Asia Australasian Flyway Partnership. He expressed great concern about the failure of Parties to respond to the Secretariat's inquiries about reported threats to Ramsar sites and felt that responding should be part of the diplomatic basis. He asked whether the SC should encourage a better response?

14. The Netherlands underscored the importance of following up on the MA, the main merit of which is its emphasis upon ecosystem services and human well-being.

15. Kenya reported on action to combat global warming and indicated that the SG's report was weak on reporting of activities in Africa, including successful WWD activities; he urged the need to strengthen reporting on Africa: Kenya is now working on a national policy draft, presently with the line ministry, and detailed steps that the Kenyan government has taken in response to problems at several Ramsar sites. He reported that the president has directed the establishment of an interministerial committee for catchment restoration. He felt that the Swiss Grant for Africa should be extended to East Africa, and he urged a greater connection to the GEF. The SG replied that Kenya has raised important issues and noted that there is some activity within the STRP on climate change issues - he suggested that there may be a need for discussion or a Resolution at COP10.

16. Australia felt that the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership is very important for migratory birds and reported that on 6 September Australia and the Republic of Korea signed a bilateral agreement on migratory birds. He welcomed the SG's report's comments on the value of having a Ramsar officer in Oceania and commended the work of the Associate Ramsar Officer based at SPREP in Samoa. He reported that Australia is giving a high priority to updating its Ramsar Information Sheets (RISs), trying at the same time to describe more fully the ecological character of the sites. The SG congratulated Australia and other parties on the excellent development of the Flyway Partnership.

17. China noted the mention of the UN-ECE's work on payments for ecosystem services (paras 4 and 5) and cautioned that this is a complicated issue, as it involves a basic principle of the Rio declaration concerning the sovereign rights of states. She felt that we should continue to encourage the wise use principle, and she discouraged discussion of payment for services at COP10. The SG responded that the UN-ECE is going to go ahead anyway and that it is important for us to continue to monitor their progress. China also felt that the Secretariat should be more active in the progress of the Himalayan Initiative (para 60), especially in encouraging each Party involved to decide whether to endorse this initiative or not. The SG responded that the Secretariat is closely watching and active in the Himalayan Initiative and promised to work together.

18. The Republic of Korea noted that Korea would like to host a meeting of the Himalayan Initiative and invite India, Pakistan, and China; he felt that financial resources have been one of the obstacles to progressing this and said that Korea would like to help. He noted that 15 countries are said to be in the process of acceding to the Convention and encouraged the Secretariat to continue its active role, particularly with regard to bringing in North Korea, which has important sites on the migratory routes and the DMZ as a biodiversity sphere.

19. Libya noted a lack of mention in the SG's report of North Africa, and of Libyan wetlands in particular. He reviewed some of Libya's recent activities in preparing for WWD and designating some protected areas, particularly salt marshes. He said that Libya has some remarkable wetlands, particularly coastal, and would like to cooperate with the world. The SG noted that he was sorry that Libya was not mentioned in the report but that he was very pleased to have Libya present now. He pointed out that it is impossible to mention every country's achievements in such a report. He noted that MedWet is presently undergoing an independent evaluation which should strengthen it, and he urged Libya to participate more fully in MedWet as well.

20. Malawi reported on successful WWD activities and said that Ramsar is well-regarded there. He highlighted the issue of the help African countries need to implement the Convention. He said that the Convention is not well understood in Africa, in terms of the values and benefits of wetlands, and called upon the Secretariat and the IOPs to do more to help. Local communities need much more support in order to understand Ramsar values and to learn to manage resources wisely. Regarding the SGF, he felt that African Parties should be more supported in updating the RISs. He noted that much flooding can be attributed to mismanagement and called for more support from the Convention and the IOPs. The SG noted that increasing support for any region needs the agreement of all Parties to increase the Convention's resources for that purpose.

21. Gabon also reported successful WWD activities, including the designation of six new Ramsar sites. He urged the Secretariat to take greater interest in Gabon, which doesn't get much support generally. Gabon has just listed coastal Ramsar sites and would appreciate support for designating some inland wetlands as well. The SG drew attention to the first Ramsar-GRASP project, a video which will focus on Gabon.

22. Argentina entered the following statement into the record. "In relation to document SC35-2, paragraph 25, Ramsar site No. 1433 "Estero de Farrapos e Islas del Río Uruguay", as it is located in the left margin of the Uruguay River, it is part of the area of influence of an bilateral treaty between Argentina and Uruguay, the 1975 Statute of the Uruguay River, which regulates the issues related to the river and its areas of influence.

23. Uruguay entered the following statement into the record: "Thank you Mr. Chair. First of all I would like to join previous speakers in congratulating the Secretary General for his excellent report and for all the work done during 2006. Regarding point number 25, paragraph 6 of the Secretary General's report to the 35 SC (Doc. SC35-2) I would like to make a few comments:

24. Argentina entered the following statement into the record: "In relation to Uruguay's reply on paragraph 23, Argentina restated that the construction of the pulp mills in that area constitutes an environmental threat, including to the Ramsar site."

25. The SG suggested that Argentina and Uruguay should discuss the matter together and agree upon a change of wording for the paragraph. Argentina agreed to discuss consensus wording but wished to have its concerns about the factory noted on the record. Uruguay also agreed to discuss consensus wording.

26. Benin urged the Secretariat to make a comparison of staff salaries with the CBD, CITES, etc., to help COP10 evaluate the matter. He informed the meeting that Benin has a National Wetland Policy and two site management plans and urged that the Africa team in the Secretariat be reinforced, in order to interact more with countries and report more fully. The SG responded that we are planning to prepare such a salary comparison, though the comparison of salary figures alone is not straightforward.

27. Samoa expressed thanks to the Ramsar Secretariat for the Associate Ramsar Officer at SPREP, who provides opportunities and promotes the Convention in the region. He felt that more Parties will join in the near future. He also recognized the support from the governments of Australia and New Zealand in promoting wetland conservation, especially in the Pacific island states. The SG agreed that having the Ramsar Officer based in SPREP in Samoa is proving to be very valuable.

28. El Salvador suggested that an analysis comparing Ramsar sites and Montreux Record sites should be carried out, as it would be useful to know what the situation is at MR sites and whether the mechanism is adequate. The SG said that such an analysis would be very valuable but we would need to look at how to do it. He reported that he and Margarita Astrálaga recently visited Chile to consult on the Río Cruces matter and said that the government wishes to use the Montreux Record positively.

29. The SG noted that it is often difficult for the Secretariat to get information on the status of Ramsar sites following inquiries - it is agreed that the Secretariat cannot be coercive, but it should be informed about what is happening at the site, what is being done. It is helpful to get an answer, even if only that the Administrative Authority does not know. The SG thanked the Secretariat staff who contributed the material that made up the SG's report and noted their daily work on these issues throughout the year.

30. The Deputy Secretary General (DSG) noted that climate change was not identified by the Parties at COP9 as a high priority issue for the STRP in this triennium, but he announced that there will be a two-day workshop on climate change, organized by Ramsar and the CBD and funded by Canada, that will take place just before the STRP midterm workshops in March - a good example of excellent cooperation between the conventions' secretariats and subsidiary scientific bodies under the Joint Work Plan.

31. The Senior Advisor for the Americas announced that Costa Rica has just sent a full report to the Secretariat on the situation at the Palo Verde Ramsar site, so that item can be updated since the SG's report.

32. BirdLife International drew attention to the RSPB's long support for the Ramsar Advisory Missions as important and tangible contributions by the Convention and presented the SG with a cheque from RSPB for £3,000 for future RAM missions. He urged others to do the same.

Agenda item 5: Report of activities with the International Organization Partners (DOCs SC35-3 and -4)

33. The DSG apologized for the absence of IWMI due to illness. The documents show the breadth and depth of IOP support for the Convention but are only the tip of the iceberg, as much additional work is done on the ground. The DSG reported on the 2nd IOPs' meeting in September 2006, where there was a great deal of discussion of IOP collaboration at COP10, including a linked series of side events on key issues branded so as to show IOP cooperation, as well as about cooperative involvement in the next World Water Forum. The DSG expressed gratitude to RSPB and BirdLife for seconding Dave Pritchard for three periods during 2006 to assist the Secretariat on issues concerning culture, review of COP decisions, and other STRP priority tasks.

34. The DSG reviewed the document's listing of a number of IOP initiatives with the Secretariat and others, most with odd acronyms, and then described ongoing discussions with Wetlands International about the future of the Ramsar Sites Information Service. An innovation for 2007 will be that data inputting to the Ramsar Sites Database will be done by our regional assistants in the Secretariat, freeing up Wetlands International's time to develop other priorities for assisting the Contracting Parties.

35. BirdLife described the 'Watching the Wetlands' proposal (DOC. SC35-4), in which the IOPs will be working together more closely in Ramsar sites - monitoring sites across the Convention is a good idea anyway. Annex C shows potential areas of future IOP activity. He said that there have been positive comments from the STRP and listed additional suggestions they have made - he solicited additional suggestions from the SC, by 16 March, as the IOPs will meet again at the STRP midterm workshops.

36. Turkey announced that it is organizing the next World Water Forum in Istanbul in March 2009, in cooperation with the World Water Council. There will be a kick-off meeting on 20 March 2007 and then an international congress on river basin management on 22-24 March 2007 in Antalya, and he invited the meeting participants to participate. He noted that he is very aware of the importance of the decisions of Ramsar COP10 for the discussions at the World Water Forum.

37. Wetlands International, on behalf of the IOPs, offered constructive comments about coastal reclamation of intertidal mudflats in the Republic of Korea, in which some government decisions have been contributing to decline. She welcomed Korea's joining the East Asian Australasian Flyways Partnership and the leading Korean role in the Yellow Sea Partnership. But she drew attention to the Ramsar priority on intertidal wetlands in Resolution VII.21 (COP7) and encouraged Korea to use the occasion of hosting COP10 to give a clear signal of a policy change on the ongoing and planned conversion of intertidal flats. She said that all of the IOPs pledged their support for the Republic of Korea in its COP10 preparations and have been impressed by the government's engagement with the NGOs.

38. Thailand welcomed the IOPs' Annex B and expressed great interest in assistance to the Parties in their monitoring and information-sharing.

39. Ecuador acknowledged support from the Ramsar IOPs and invited the IOPs to work more closely with the authorities, especially with those working on Ramsar sites and most especially in updating RISs. The process after site designation has significant technical and economic requirements and can be a bottleneck, especially in developing good maps. The IOPs could have a higher profile in the Neotropical region. Updating with good data should be added to Annex C.

40. Kenya expressed the need to strengthen the working relationships between African Parties' governments and the IOPs. He felt that the IOPs need to harmonize their operations in order to avoid duplication, and that the IOPs are not very active in supporting policy development in Africa. He welcomed the IOPs' programme initiatives, especially those involving poverty reduction.

41. Gabon thanked Switzerland for its support through the Swiss Grant for Africa and paid tribute to the good will of WWF, which has been very helpful. He appealed to other organizations to help in designating Ramsar sites.

42. BirdLife observed that all of the IOPs have memoranda of understanding with the Secretariat, each with an annex of particular priority issues. He drew attention to the new BirdLife annex, which spells out specific areas of assistance, among which policy development is included.

43. WWF International, in response to requests from Parties at SC35 to detail future contributions to the Convention, reported that the organization is currently re-examining its global priorities. WWF's small grants support for designation and management of Ramsar sites and development of National Wetlands Policies is presently under review. He reported that a recent review has shown that in six regional initiatives between 1999 and 2006 WWF has contributed SFR 907,000 to Ramsar Parties for the designation and better management of 41 million hectares of wetlands, leveraging an additional 30 million Swiss francs from third-party donors. An additional 19 million Swiss francs is likely in the coming year. Most of this has been devoted to Africa (Niger and Lake Chad basins, Algeria, Lake Malawi/Niassa/Nyassa, Andes and Himalayas).

44. The Islamic Republic of Iran invited the IOPs to support the Ramsar Centre on capacity building for Central and Western Asia.

45. The SG noted that there will be another meeting with the IOPs after the March STRP workshops and promised more such reports on IOP activities as well as regular out-of-session updates. The SG welcomed Turkey's invitations concerning the World Water Forum and promised to help to see that Ramsar issues are better included in the Forum's agenda than in the past.

46. Thailand urged the IOPs to consult their own regional offices before compiling their next report.

Agenda item 6: Report of the Culture Working Group (DOC SC35-5)

47. The SG reported that he established the Culture WG as directed in Resolution IX.21 and that it has been working well, having produced a possible draft Resolution (DR) and a barebones guidance document. He noted that culture issues have been contentious when connected to Ramsar site designation, but the WG is emphasizing a primary role of culture issues as part of the management of all wetlands. He proposed that the SC ask the WG to continue developing the guidance, which will be a valuable addition, and suggested that, since neither of the two previous Resolutions were perfect, a new DR should be put forward on cultural management which would explicitly repeal the earlier ones (Resolutions VIII.19 and IX.21).

48. Australia cautioned against allowing the primary purpose of the Convention to be diverted and urged careful thought about this issue. Australia could not accept any socio-economic or trade-related criteria for Ramsar site designation, and is unable to endorse DOC. SC35-5, only to "note" it as a working document. He said that it would not be a good use of time to re-debate these issues, which already had difficult discussions for the two former Resolutions. He urged that the task of the WG should be to collect case studies to assist the Parties in implementing the earlier Resolutions. Australia sees problems in the draft guidance concerning 1.1 Cultural landscapes, 2.1.1 Rice cultivation, and 2.6 Salt extraction. He urged that the next drafts should be brought forward much sooner than proposed to allow for adequate consultation.

49. Brazil said that it recognizes the role of culture in the management of wetlands, but echoed Australia's doubts about the proposed documents. Brazil doubted the use of a list of activities to determine the cultural importance of wetlands, especially as the list includes concepts about which no consensus has been reached and about which discussions are ongoing in other fora. He too would like to have the next drafts circulated early, before the regional meetings.

50. Japan applauded the work but noted some problems. Concerning repeal of the former Resolutions, she noted that some parts of those were the results of substantial debates and are not found in the present drafts, so she suggested keeping the old Resolutions or consolidating them all except expired or duplicative parts. Concerning rice cultivation, she suggested that the WG explore the ecological aspects of rice paddies.

51. Ecuador noted that cultural values are very important in wetland management, especially for countries with important cultural uses of wetland products, but he recommended handling rice cultivation very carefully, as frequently waterbirds are harmed by rice farmers and pesticides. Fish farming can be a difficult issue, with mangrove destruction and industrial methods. There are also difficulties regarding extractive industries, where traditional practices (as in gold mining) often have adverse effects. He urged that the work should be progressed but felt that much more is needed.

52. Kenya argued that this DR is imporant in the context of community involvement and management but has the potential for creating conflict in some communities, especially in Africa. Kenya is thinking of creating a National Wetlands Committee to sort out just such problems. He recalled that the United Republic of Tanzania did place a reservation on this Resolution at COP9, and stressed the importance of wide consultations prior to the COP to avoid a repetition.

53. Norway agreed with the continuation of this work, which is moving in the right direction towards improving management where culture has formed landscapes - as Chair of this group at COP9, she is aware that the debate is not an easy one. She also approved of the CBD practice of reviewing previous Resolutions and retiring earlier ones when appropriate. She urged more preparatory work on these documents in order to avoid long debates at the COP, but felt that the work is moving on the right track.

54. The SG reported that the WG is aware of the concerns expressed here. He interpreted the comments to mean that the WG should proceed with the guidance document, but carefully, and he agreed with Brazil about the value of discussion at the regional meetings on this draft. He sensed less enthusiasm for a new DR but felt continued work would be worth the trouble, having taken these cautionary comments on board.

55. Switzerland favored continuing the work but suggested involving the World Heritage Center in UNESCO. The SG responded that the UNESCO-IHE is the key entry point for UNESCO and is the main conduit for UNESCO as a whole. Namibia asked about replacing the Africa member, Algeria, and the SG noted that Algeria was the MedWet representative and a replacement is being sought from among all of the North African states.

56. Australia agreed to elaborating the guidance document further, but for the DR, he suggested that the work should move forward but that a decision point should be set - there should be an explanation of the value of such a DR before any lengthy negotiations at the next SC meeting. Debate is unlikely to change positions on the normative language of a Resolution, and it would be better to focus on the practical guidance.

Agenda item 7: Report of the Subgroup on COP10

57. Mr Je Ho Yu made a PowerPoint presentation on the Republic of Korea's preparations so far and timetables for COP10, including information about Korea's progress in wetland conservation and participation in the Ramsar Convention, the administrative structures being put into place, and the facilities that will be available for the COP.

58. Mr Boonam Shin presented the report of the meeting of the Subgroup on COP10, which agreed that the MOU covers all relevant points, that a logo will be circulated for comment, that the theme should concern issues of human health, that the Ramsar Award procedures should remain unchanged, and that regional meetings should be held in 2007 rather than 2008 to facilitate funding opportunities.

59. Namibia wondered whether the proposed theme, "Wetland benefits for human health and well-being", would not be too close to earlier themes. The SG saw it as a nice evolution from former themes. The Netherlands suggested wording that would allow consideration of health risks as well as benefits, and El Salvador agreed, noting that people know that wetlands can cause health problems if not managed properly.

60. The Chair of the STRP suggested that the more succinct slogan "Healthy wetlands, healthy people" is catchier and opens the way for both positive and negative considerations. Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran suggested further amendments to the first proposal, and the Senior Advisor for Europe agreed that the STRP Chair's suggestion was the most elegant. The SG suggested using both the phrase and the STRP Chair's proposal as a catchy slogan.

61. Ecuador noted that the first proposal would require a huge communications effort for local communities in order to ensure that they understand what the SC intends.

62. El Salvador said that the STRP Chair's proposed wording meets his concerns, and Austria supported it as a clear, strong message that is easy to communicate.

63. Concerning the Ramsar Conservation Awards, the Subgroup on COP10 recommended that the nomination and award procedures should remain unchanged from previous COPs, but urged that previous laureates should be invited to be more involved in the process.

64. Concerning pre-COP10 regional meetings, the SG explained that the SC only needs to note the intention to hold the meetings in late 2007, and he observed that the regions are discussing the best dates and venues now. The exception is Oceania, where the constraints of the lead donors in the region make it more likely that the meeting will be held in early 2008.

65. The Republic of Korea took the opportunity to welcome any suggestions from Parties about preparations for COP10. It was noted that the local government would like to host regional meetings or workshops.

66. The Senior Advisor for Africa recalled that before COP9 there were too few resources and the timing of the Africa regional meeting depended upon IUCN's willingness to tie it to one of its own meetings. Additional resources may be required this time. He said that Cameroon and Mauritius have expressed an interest as venues.

Agenda item 8: Financial matters: Report of the Subgroup on Finance

67. The USA, Chair of the Subgroup on Finance, introduced the Subgroup's report, and the SG observed that the 2006 budget figures, while not final, indicate a surplus for this year, chiefly because of the campaign to collect arrears of Parties' contributions. He said that the Convention is probably in the best financial state it has ever been in and thanked the Secretariat staff and the Parties.

68. The USA explained that the SG had inherited a difficult budgetary situation at the beginning but has done a fine job of restoring financial health. The Subgroup recommends approval of the 2006 budget review.

69. The SG explained that payments from Parties with arrears are normally credited to the earliest overdue invoices, but one Party would like its payment to be credited to the most recent invoice and pay off the earlier ones over the next three years, so that it can participate fully in the Convention. The USA noted that the Subgroup recommended approval.

70. The USA reported that the Subgroup recommended that the Standing Committee note that the core budget approved by the COP for 2007 remains unchanged.

71. The SG explained the proposed new method for presenting the Convention's core budget in such a way that, by breaking up salaries into programme areas, the relative costs of the work of the Secretariat would be more transparent. Because some Parties wished to see the global amounts included as heretofore, the Subgroup added a section called "RECAP" at the bottom of the proposed framework (last page of the Subgroup's report), which classifies the core budget much as in the former method.

72. The UK welcomed this development, as it is important to link expenditure to output. He asked if it would be possible to measure "value for money" by this method. The SG responded that there has been a call for linking all the key management documents to the budget and this will allow a better way of seeing if Parties were receiving the best value for the budgetary allocations..

73. The USA felt that for all the energy we put into committee deliberations, etc., we don't measure outcomes very well, and he suggested that the MWG might be asked to develop better evaluation processes.

74. Concerning funding for regional initiatives, the SG and the USA provided background on the mandated funding process and proposed the allocations contained in the Subgroup's Recommendation 5. The DSG noted that, because of the volume of requests, not all of the allocations requested could be fully met.

75. The Islamic Republic of Iran thanked the Subgroup for its consideration but noted that the allocation for the Ramsar Regional Centre for Central and Western Asia is only half what had been requested. She provided a thorough review of the Centre's achievements so far and immediate plans, noting that the Centre is not for Iran but for all of Central and Western Asia, which has enormous needs for capacity building. She remarked that the other countries of the region are unable to contribute and that the present political climate makes donor countries reluctant to help. She feared that without adequate support from the Convention the government may decide to cease its support for the Centre, and she asked for a reconsideration of the allocation.

76. The SG noted that it's clear that the Ramsar Centre is up and running with meetings and capacity building exercises and said that the Subgroup did not have this report of recent activities to hand when making its decision. He made suggestions for redress.

77. The USA agreed that there had been no intention to deny Iran's allocation request, but the information now provided had not been available during its deliberations. He felt that the Centre seems to be doing a great job and that the Convention should help as much as it can.

78. The Senior Advisor for the Asia/Pacific presented a fundraising case for the Ramsar Centre, which is serving the largest region of countries that are not yet Parties due to gaps in local awareness about wetland wise use. He said that the Centre is the key to raising awareness throughout the region and needs money to progress.

79. The SG suggested that the unallocated funds be added to the Ramsar Centre's allocation, bringing it from SFR 30,000 to 44,475; that the SC look at reallocation of all funding at midyear in case other allocations are not being used; and that the Standing Committee should urge donor Parties to look for additional outside funds for the Ramsar Centre.

80. Ecuador informed the meeting that the main activity for the High Andean allocation will be a workshop in Venezuela in September, which will take place after the deadline for progress reporting. The SG replied that that will be taken into account when preparing the mid-year summary for SC.

81. Concerning the BlackSeaWet proposal, Georgia fully supported the BlackSeaWet initiative and thanked Wetlands International for its effort but does not understand why Georgia was excluded from the six countries in funding support. Georgia is fully prepared to participate.

82. The SG and the Chair of the Subgroup explained that the rules stipulated in Resolution IX.7, para 13, are clear: that the Standing Committee is empowered, between COPs, to endorse proposals with zero financial implications for recognition as regional initiatives under the Convention, but to reallocate funding only amongst those already approved by the COP for funding support. Eligibility for future funding must be determined by the COP.

83. Turkey applauded the BlackSeaWet initiative as an ambitious project that needs to be supported and should be endorsed, and argued that Resolution IX.7 does allow for reallocation intersessionally. The SG maintained that the COP9 Resolution was carefully worded and that the list of initiatives approved for funding at that time was carefully considered. The USA noted that this Resolution was a major achievement for the Convention, but resulted in a proliferation of good proposals all at once at COP9. He said that it is for the next COP to consider expanding the funding to include additional good proposals and that endorsement now would put BlackSeaWet on the map for COP10 budget planning.

84. The Netherlands noted that the language of the Resolution seems clear, expressing regret that a gap in Netherlands funding regulations has led to the exclusion of Georgia from the funded group, but he felt that Ramsar endorsement could help to attract other funding possibilities.

85. The SG remarked that he had other funding ideas that he would like to talk about with the Netherlands, Georgia and Turkey, which would be outside the core budget.

86. Austria inquired whether the BlackSeaWet proposal has met the conditions outlined in Resolution VIII.30, paras 8-10, and the DSG replied that those paragraphs only referred to proposals for financial allocations, not for endorsement.

87. Russia urged that the BlackSeaWet proposal should be considered by the COP and not now, because Russia has never been asked officially to be part of it.

88. The SG indicated that the Secretariat understood that all parties were involved and requested that the Netherlands and Wetlands International lead a discussion of all interested parties to resolve any outstanding issues, for consideration of the initiative's endorsement tomorrow.

89. Concerning reporting deadlines for regional initiatives, the USA reported that the Subgroup recommended that firm deadlines must be kept to in order to avoid unfairness and delays.

90. The Chair of the Subgroup reported that the Subgroup on Finance was recommending the creation of a new contact group on the SGF and that the contact group has already met twice. He described the present process of annual SC approvals for all SGF proposals and explained the Subgroup's recommendations for revisions.

Second day, 15 February 2007

Welcoming statement by Gérard Cretegny, the Mayor of Gland

91. M. Cretegny welcomed the participants to Gland and described the city's remarkable growth in recent years, which required careful management. He hoped to be able to welcome the participants for many years into the future.

Welcoming statement by Julia Marton-Lefebvre, Director-General of IUCN

92. Ms Marton-Lefebvre drew attention to the many shared goals between the Ramsar Convention and IUCN and reaffirmed IUCN's commitment to assisting the Ramsar Parties.

Agenda item 8: Report of the Subgroup on Finance (continued)

93. The USA, Chair of the Subgroup on Finance, resumed explanation of the SGF contact group's recommendation concerning the establishment of a new Small Grants Portfolio (SGP) as an opportunity to support SGF project proposals that would be complementary to the existing SGF process. Potential donors would be able to choose individual proposals based on thematic interests and with Secretariat evaluations in a process that could begin before the SC, at its annual meeting, selects others for support from the Fund. The remaining unfunded proposals would then continue to be circulated for possible bilateral support.

94. Brazil wondered whether donors might prefer the portfolio method to the extent that the existing SGF procedure would atrophy. The USA felt that despite that risk the total funding secured would be greater, and the SG noted that this method should appeal to other donors beyond our traditional ones.

95. China expressed a need for more consideration for the Parties submitting proposals, by means of a mechanism by which donors and Parties can communicate on their respective priorities. The DSG noted that he could envisage a Secretariat role in communicating any stated preferences of donors in the call for SGF applications.

96. China felt that 90% of the SGF selection process is carried out by the Secretariat. The USA explained that the Secretariat evaluates all proposals by use of objective weighted criteria formulated by the SC and that the SC itself chooses the proposals to be supported. The USA solicited editorial amendments to the SGP proposal. China offered to participate in the Subgroup's contact group on the SGF.

97. The USA explained a second and separate proposal from the contact group, Signature Initiatives, which could complement the SGF on a more regional basis. He explained that, at Ramsar regional meetings, the Parties would be asked to agree a list of (e.g.) three priority initiatives, preferably concrete, and each meeting's initiatives would be communicated to subsequent regional meetings for their consideration, too. The proposals would need to be fleshed out, either at the meeting or by the SRA and regional Parties, into a package for potential donors. These would be concrete initiatives that would be generated by regional consensus. There would be no need for COP approval, for the respective Parties would already have ownership of their proposals. Once agreed, the Secretariat would work with the Parties to seek funding.

98. The SG suggested that the SC should accept these proposals in principle and ask the contact group to continue to develop them, and then come to the SC for further consideration. The DSG said that the Operational Guidelines would need to be revised, but if the ideas were adopted soon they could be in place for the 2008 SGF cycle, and the Signature Initiatives could be brought up in the pre-COP10 regional meetings. The Senior Advisor for Europe noted that the Secretariat has already used a portfolio approach following SC selections, seeking additional bilateral funding for proposals that were evaluated as worthy but not selected, and this year doubled the number of projects supported. He urged that these new ideas should be put in place for the present SGF cycle rather than waiting for 2008. The SG noted that the proposal could be circulated to the SC members for comment and approval as soon as the contact group concludes its work.

99. It was noted that the contact group on the SGF comprises the USA as Chair, China, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Japan, Uganda, and Wetlands International.

100. The USA reported that the Subgroup noted the Secretary General's report on the Evian Initiative supported by the Danone Group. The SG explained that Danone has agreed to another four-year term of the Initiative, for about €250,000 a year for communications and outreach activities, especially concerning WWD but also helping with regional initiatives. To Gabon's inquiry, the SG noted that allocations are decided by the Guiding Committee of Danone in consultation with the Secretariat. Danone obviously has a special interest in countries in which the company has a presence. He also described the Evian Encounters series of capacity-building meetings in Evian for Ramsar regions. He noted that the Secretariat keeps the SC informed of all of the projects.

101. China asked about progress in expanding Ramsar regional funding opportunities, like those for the Neotropics and Africa, into Asia. Iran recalled the COP's discussion of the need for a special fund for Asia. The SG said that there are ongoing discussions about a possible linkage between Danone and SGF activities.

102. Returning to earlier discussion of BlackSeaWet, the Russian delegate reported that, after consultations with the capital, the Russian Federation again confirms its support for both the Wetlands International project and the upcoming Black Sea Ramsar regional initiative. It requests, however, that formal processes be initiated with the Russian Federation at an early stage consistent with the new Russian legislation which demands extra consultation with all relevant authorities from parts of the Federation. She also urged that Georgia, as the SC Regional Representative for the Russian Federation, will enhance this process and should be supported by the Secretariat to engage in the development of this Ramsar regional initiative.

103. The SG noted that, with additional consultations needed, it would be premature to make an endorsement decision about BlackSeaWet at this time and urged that it be brought forward to SC36, in time to be taken into account when planning for COP10 budget considerations.

Agenda item 10: Report of the Management Working Group

Mechanisms for transitions between COPs

104. The SG, citing the need for inherited knowledge in ensuring a smooth transition, explained the MWG's recommendation for the creation of a Transition Committee to allow outgoing and incoming SC officers to meet at the end of each COP. To Benin's inquiry, he explained that it would normally meet only that once but could decide to meet again prior to the first full SC meeting if necessary. No new costs would be incurred.

Management of the Secretariat

105. The SG reported that the MWG is making three recommendations on this subject - that the SC note the agreed staff action plan, that it agree that the Chair of the SC should be considered to be the ombudsman for the staff of the Secretariat, and that it note that the issue of staff remuneration and conditions of service should be considered by COP10.

106. The SG explained that a "staff action plan" responding to a range of concerns from Secretariat staff was agreed by the staff in September 2006, and he noted that there is a task force charged with monitoring its progress. He explained that presently a Ramsar staff member with a grievance has recourse to the IUCN ombudsman and ultimately to the IUCN Governing Council; this recommendation is meant to formalize the SC's role over Secretariat staff matters, if it should ever be needed. Concerning staff remuneration, the SG promised to bring comparative salary and benefits information to SC36.

107. Namibia and Gabon inquired about what procedures the SC Chair would use to resolve staff grievances from afar, and whether there would be budgetary implications to a visit. The SG cautioned against trying to establish firm rules in advance, because the chief purpose is to establish the right of staff members to feel free to contact the SC Chair if they feel they need to - the Chair can then decide how best to handle the problem, and if he or she feels that a visit is necessary that would be covered from the core travel budget. This would help to establish a clear line for an independent Ramsar within the IUCN framework.

108. The IUCN representative felt that IUCN would welcome discussions on this and looked forward to consultations on putting it into practice.

Proposed changes in Secretariat staff organization

109. The SG explained that heavy staff workloads forced some attempt at reorganizing responsibilities, but that the MWG was unable to reach consensus on any proposals. He said that there are three clusters of activity in the Secretariat: 1) administration, 2) science and communications issues, and 3) regional affairs and how we provide service to the Parties in the regions. Heretofore, the DSG has had responsibility for both clusters 2) and 3), but with the growth of the Convention that is no longer possible, and the Secretariat has proposed splitting those responsibilities. He said that one possibility would be to appoint the most senior SRA to be "Chief, Regional Affairs" and to use the existing P1 position that will be unfilled after July to become a "Regional Affairs Officer" to provide additional support for that Chief. This would be for one year and reconsideration at SC36, and it would be budget-neutral. Failing that suggestion, the Secretariat would need instructions from the SC as to how to handle these workloads.

110. The SG explained that if the SC endorses the concept that one SRA should act as "Chief, Regional Affairs", the P1's TOR would consist primarily of supporting that SRA in his or her regional work, but if not, then the P1's TOR would be to support all of the SRAs in their work, especially during periods of particular pressure on any among them. The main idea is that we need more help in dealing with regional affairs.

111. Japan, Iran, and China urged that this should be discussed only after the arrival of the new SG. China foresaw the potential for a conflict among the roles. Malawi felt that the positions are rotational and might be unstable, causing one of the regions to suffer. There was considerable discussion concerning a number of misunderstandings caused by the wording of the P1 TOR. Malawi and Benin felt that more thought needs to be given to the matter.

112. Switzerland strongly supported the establishment of the Chief, Regional Affairs post as the Secretariat needs immediate strengthening and this will be a good interim solution, to be reviewed by the new SG and by SC36.

113. The USA agreed that the proposal is not a practical long-term solution but rather just a patch - he urged, however, that it would be helpful in the short term and should be accepted for one year, with a strong mandate for a well-thought-out and comprehensive structure to be proposed for SC36 consideration. If we can help the present SG manage the overload, it should help the next SG as well, though we must be careful not to encumber the next one with patchwork solutions.

114. Resuming the discussion in the afternoon, the USA reported that a draft text for a decision has been circulated for comment. The first part accepted the creation of the temporary post of Chief, Regional Affairs, but most interested Parties did not accept that. The second part, calling upon the Subgroup on Finance and the MWG to work together to propose a comprehensive plan to structure the Secretariat for the next five years, was acceptable.

115. Kenya expressed unwillingness to discuss this draft text without having it circulated in advance; the USA agreed to supply the text for circulation and defer further discussion until tomorrow.

116. Norway expressed concern about the inability of the SC to reach a decision on this matter. She said that the Secretariat is facing a situation in which it is having difficulty in fulfilling the many tasks required of it, and the Secretariat's proposal seems to be a good interim solution to relieve that burden. She felt that the SC might be formalizing too much these internal matters. She noted that the Convention is very well run, with an idealistic staff who accomplish a lot of work with limited resources. She felt that they deserve the SC's thoughtful consideration, so as not to make their work harder. She urged that the SC should consider this to be an internal matter and accept it as an interim solution, and then discuss a more permanent solution at the next SC meeting.

117. The SG urged everyone to reflect on the USA's proposed texts, discuss them with others, and be prepared to make some kind of firm decision tomorrow.

Ongoing issues for the MWG

118. The Chair noted that the Management Working Group will continue to keep the following tasks on its agenda, with any others that might arise: the role of the Parties in selection of new Secretariat staff; refinements to the Secretary General's Performance Agreement, including input by staff and others; monitoring and encouraging joint actions with the IOPs; and ensuring some contact during the year between the Parties and the Secretariat staff.

Agenda item 11: Report of the CEPA Oversight Panel

119. Bahamas, Chair of the CEPA Oversight Panel, noted the Panel's first meeting in May 2006 and explained the composition of the Panel.

120. Sandra Hails, the CEPA Programme Officer, alluded to DOC. SC35-6 rev. 1 and drew attention to both its reminder of the Panel's functions and its report on the first meeting and subsequent work by correspondence. She reported that the Panel has provided input to the Subgroup on the Strategic Plan regarding the CEPA indicators for the next National Report format, and she said that the key task of drafting a new CEPA Programme for COP10 has begun and will be a major focus for the Oversight Panel's next meeting. She noted that the Panel had insufficient time to consider fully the communications activities of the Secretariat, but this will be taken up at the next meeting as well.

121. The CEPA Officer reported that the Panel felt the need to ensure no overlap with the business of the Advisory Board on Capacity Building for the Ramsar Convention, and there will be back-to-back meetings and a joint session on 19 June, to include representatives of the capacity-building regional initiatives. She invited the SC to note this report and to require the regional initiatives that are financially supported to report to the CEPA Oversight Panel on their CEPA-related activities.

122. The CEPA Officer requested the SC to reconsider SC34's choice of the WWD theme for 2008, 'wetlands and river basin management'. The Secretariat would suggest that WWD 2008 should focus instead on the COP10 theme of "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People", both as a more interesting and relevant theme in itself and as a lead-up to the COP.

123. The Netherlands drew attention to an Advisory Board flyer on 14 capacity building programmes and promised to ask the Advisory Board to forward copies.

Agenda item 12: Review of the status of Resolution VIII.45

124. The SG explained that DOC. SC35-7 is just a review of relevant activities for the SC's information.

125. Japan urged that this work should continue and requested the Secretariat to pay more attention to providing documents for meetings in a timely fashion. For this meetings and earlier ones, documents, especially financial documents, have been circulated with too little time for essential consultations with capitals. She urged that all documents should be circulated at least 30 days before each SC meeting.

126. The SG noted that most documents were ready by the traditional 30 days' deadline but apologized that some of the financial documents were delayed by IUCN's work in finalizing the accounts of the previous year. Unfortunately, that is out of the Secretariat's control.

Agenda item 13: Report of the Chair of the STRP (DOC. SC35-8 and annex)

127. Heather MacKay, Chair of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel, drew attention to the more detailed document and summarized the STRP's progress over the first year of the triennium. The 13th STRP meeting was very successful and established nine Working Groups, each led by a thematic expert. The meeting defined the scope of the work and the budget, and she noted that the rolling work programme of the new modus operandi is working very well. Thanks to the generosity of Sweden and the UK and the core allocation, there are sufficient funds to initiate all of the immediate priority tasks and some but not all of the high priority ones. It was felt that some lower priority tasks could be progressed anyway without additional resources, and the STRP will continue to seek additional funding for unfunded high priority tasks.

128. The STRP Chair noted that there will be intensive midterm workshops in March and that the dates of the 14th STRP meeting will be determined after the next SC meeting dates are known. She reported that the STRP is successfully leveraging its efforts through collaboration with other organizations and with pro bono work of the IOPs and others.

129. She reported that efforts at regional networking through regional members, Parties, and STRP National Focal Points (NFPs) have been disappointing, and a Working Group was established to help with this, led by the STRP Vice Chair Rebecca D'Cruz. She said that, despite the best efforts, it has been difficult to establish even initial contacts with the NFPs, and felt it would probably be unrealistic to hope to mobilize all of the NFPs to help with all of the work - probably we will be able to engage some of them only in the tasks most relevant to each. The STRP is also working to identify helpful organizations within the countries, and such flexible networking should help to extend the STRP's work into the regions, which is important for feedback on regional priorities and ways of presentation.

130. On emerging issues, the STRP Chair noted several, which will be reported on more fully at SC36. There is a watching brief on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - she alluded to DOC. SC35-16 and noted that STRP member David Stroud is our representative on the Scientific Task Force on avian flu. The STRP reaffirmed the importance of the COP9 Resolution on avian flu. She emphasized the growing importance of earth observation and remote sensing and noted our partnership with the European Space Agency, particularly with its GlobWetland project which is providing EO data to managers at 50 Ramsar sites. There was major STRP involvement in the GlobWetland symposium at ESA headquarters last autumn. Concerning climate change, the STRP is recommending that this issue should be brought back onto the Ramsar agenda, as there is a growing need for contextual information on climate change and wetlands in order to develop response options at the site level; she felt that remote sensing might be the best hope for providing this context, and she noted that a Type II partnership involving FAO and IWMI was launched at that symposium.

131. The STRP Chair invited the SC to note the STRP's report and endorse the draft STRP Work Plan 2006-2008 included as an annex.

132. Japan suggested that the networking of NFPs would be more successful when calling for comment on specific issues rather than generally and drew attention to the need for a time schedule for allowing the NFPs to comment on all of the STRP's draft Resolutions, as called for in Resolution VIII.45. The STRP Chair agreed that targeting NFPs on relevant issues will be more successful, and pointed out that the STRP works by means of the Web-based STRP Support Service, as sending out documents for comment is beyond the Panel's budgetary means.

133. Benin observed that cultural issues are not included in the proposed STRP Work Plan. The Chair explained that the COP did not raise cultural issues as an STRP priority in this triennium but established a Culture Working Group to deal with those matters.

134. Ecuador stressed the importance of the work of the STRP and called for capacity building for the NFPs. The Chair noted that the need for capacity building has been discussed, but with current resourcing that is not easy to do. She noted that the STRP is producing a brochure for the NFPs to help them to link up with other Ramsar focal points in the Parties.

135. El Salvador said that the STRP Work Plan is at the heart of the Convention but asked whether there will be sufficient time and capacity to accomplish all of the tasks listed there. He suggested that before the SC adopts the Work Plan it should learn how the tasks will be carried out. The STRP Chair responded that most of the work will be done by experts or collaborating bodies supervised by the STRP, and that the STRP is very aware of the need to prioritize, as there is only so much that can be done with the present budget and leverage with other organizations.

136. Wetlands International noted that avian flu is included in the Work Plan at a low priority but said that experience with the Task Force shows that there is a really urgent need for guidance on avian flu and wetlands to go with Resolution IX.23. She said that there is increased knowledge now, but it needs to be brought together to help Parties respond promptly to the threats. Wetlands International proposed, if resources could be found, a joint Avian Flu Task Force and STRP workshop to prepare this guidance for the Parties. The STRP Chair thanked WI for that suggestion and promised to bring it up at the midterm workshops in March.

137. The DSG said that the revised STRP modus operandi is proving to be very helpful and that in his view this STRP is the most powerfully focused Panel in many years, and that the engagement of the IOPs is very strong. He thanked the Chair for her work.

Agenda item 14: Report of the Subgroup on the Strategic Plan

138. Bahamas, the Chair of the Subgroup on the Strategic Plan (SP), summarized the Subgroup's meeting and recommendations on the Strategic Plan and National Report format.

139. The UK welcomed the intention of a much better focus to the National Report (NR) than in the last one and cautioned against allowing that tight focus to slip into the natural tendency toward expansion while progressing the format further. He noted that many Parties will need to prepare the Ramsar National Report at the same time as they prepare another for the CMS.

140. The SG noted that the Subgroup's recommendations give the Secretariat a clear way forward, and that all input will be welcome from SC members and observers as well. He said that the Secretariat will use this meeting's participants list to mail the draft out for comment.

141. The Netherlands recalled Russia's comment about there being too much emphasis in the National Report format on listed sites over the wise use of all wetlands. The SG said that that point would be noted.

142. The Subgroup confirmed that the format for COP10 should be based around a series of 'process-oriented' indicators for each of the Convention Work Plan 2006-2008 strategies, rather than attempting to be a comprehensive reporting on each and every action that Contracting Parties, through COP decisions, have given themselves.

Agenda item 15: COP9 outputs

Regional initiatives

143. The SG noted that these matters have been dealt with already. Japan requested a correction in DOC. SC35-11, page 2, to the title of the initiative, which should be Partnership for East Asian - Australasian Migratory Waterbirds.

Review of COP decisions

144. The SG provided background to the issue and thanked Dave Pritchard for his thorough analysis of all of the Convention's decisions since COP1 in 1980.

145. Mr Pritchard said that DOC. SC35-12 represents a first analysis of all of the COP decisions with suggestions as to what could be done about them. He noted that this is not suitable for a mechanical analysis but requires policy interpretation in many places. He said that however the SC should decide to progress the matter, the document will be a useful guide and will be helpful in drawing up new draft decisions. He noted that paras. 42-45 comprise lessons for the future, and he urged the SC to be aspirational, as a thorough overhaul of all the decisions might bring some light and legal clarity to this mass of texts.

146. All subsequent speakers on this issue began with congratulations and appreciation for Mr Pritchard, or "the team", for all of his work on this valuable document.

147. Switzerland found the results reassuring, as there seem to be few conflicts between the older and the newer decisions. He suggested that not too much time should be spent in looking back and that the focus should be on the future. He felt that, considering how few problems we seem to have, legal advice should be sought only when absolutely necessary. He supported the idea of a thematically-grouped listing to be promoted more widely, but he saw retiring older resolutions as a waste of time and energy. Switzerland considered that consolidation of decisions should be done only in cases of absolute necessity, not on minor issues - only on a case by case basis as problems come up. He urged that we should not become involved in a long process, but rather focus on the future and agree on an ad hoc basis when really serious problems arise.

148. Japan considered it important to streamline the format of future resolutions and decision-making processes and asked the Secretariat to take account of the advice contained in this document.

149. El Salvador applauded this document as a valuable guide, a key document of the Convention, which will give us an idea of the situation on every Resolutions, an excellent piece of work. Ecuador echoed that view and urged that the work should continue, perhaps by consolidating decisions of some of the earlier COPs and moving on to later ones. Ecuador suggested that only a few issues at a time should be dealt with, progressively, and that we should set some priorities. He also noted that there should be no need for new Resolutions where earlier ones have not yet been implemented, and he felt that Resolution VI.22 on the costs of moving the Secretariat should remain as a continuing concern. Recommendations on the importance of National Wetland Policies should not be retired.

150. WWF welcomed the document and urged the SC to convey its thanks to the head of BirdLife International to ensure that it is understood how valued Mr Pritchard's efforts are by the Convention.

151. Kenya joined in congratulating Dave Pritchard for the excellent report, which contains useful insights and critiques on key elements. The analysis will be useful in formulating future decisions. In Annex 2, task 107, the review is necessary but there is a need for inputs from Parties on sites considered as potential Ramsar sites. The culture element needs to be included as a qualification element. However, more selection criteria need to be considered.

152. Norway expressed appreciation for this informative document and echoed Switzerland's view that not too much time should be spent in looking backward at older decisions. She described the CBD's experience with trying to retire or consolidate older decisions and its conclusion that retirement should be taken up when new ones are being adopted that supersede them.

153. Argentina said that, concerning the implementation of the decisions, it would be useful to have an overall assessment of all of them, with a particular view to finding areas of redundancy.

154. Namibia urged a case-by-case approach to consolidation rather than a major project.

155. The SG noted that any consolidation called for would be done by COP10, after which the Secretariat would ensure that retrospective retirement, etc., would be part of the drafting of all new Resolutions.

156. The DSG summarized the possible elements of a decision on this matter, based on the comments so far.

Wetlands and poverty reduction (DOC. SC35-13)

157. The Senior Advisor for Africa reviewed the document's summary of the Secretariat's work in connection with poverty reduction - he noted that Resolution IX.14 is one of the most important Ramsar decisions, especially for Africa, but that it called primarily for actions by the Parties rather than by the Secretariat. Nevertheless, much relevant work is under way, especially in conjunction with Wetlands International's Wetlands and Poverty Reduction Project. He said that he will continue discussions with other IOPs to see if other collaborations might be possible. He felt that Resolution IX.14 is too general and that more detailed guidance and tools for the Parties must be provided to help them implement that Resolution.

158. Wetlands International cautioned against narrowing the scope of the Resolution any further and urged that there should be a focus on a specific theme like "wetlands, water, and sanitation". She enumerated some of the tools being made available by the Wetlands and Poverty Reduction Project, funded by the Netherlands, including the toolkit (with thanks to Uganda and Gabon); the intersectoral African board, with several modules already for East and West Africa but extensible to other regions; five demonstration projects; establishment of seed funds; and formation of partnerships with aid agencies, designed to be of good value across Africa.

159. Japan pointed out that several of the SGF projects did not explicitly identify their poverty reduction components and, as a donor, urged that the proposals should clearly state that connection.

160. The SG felt that we should spend some time looking at a more specific follow-on Resolution for COP10 and bring a draft Resolution to SC36 for consideration, and welcomed any input from interested Parties. He cautioned that we must ensure that our Resolution stays within the bounds of our Convention's mission and does not wander off to try to be everything to everybody.

Resolution IX.15 on the status of Ramsar sites (DOC. SC35-14)

161. The SG explained that the document represents an Article 8.2 notification to the Parties about the Secretariat's attempts to follow up on information provided about threats and negative impacts on Ramsar sites, and it is provided for the SC's information.

162. WWF International provided an extended intervention concerning Ramsar sites in Australia and Greece, noting grave concerns about recent developments in Australia and urging the Secretariat to take several specific steps to seek clarification from the Commonwealth government and urging Australia to place some sites on the Montreux Record. Concerning Greece, WWF noted that all Greek Ramsar sites still lack management plans and that promises made about improvements at the Evros Delta site when it was removed from the Montreux Record in 1999 have not been kept. WWF asked that its requests should be included in the report of this meeting.

163. Australia announced that a substantial study has been got underway for Moreton Bay and that the government will respond to the Secretariat's request when it has been completed. He responded to WWF's information with point by point clarifications and drew attention to a new AUS$10 billion national plan for water security that will benefit all Ramsar sites in the Murray-Darling basin. Australia provided an amended text for DOC. SC35-14, para 4 i).

164. Kenya reported that the delay in responding about Naivasha was due to the government's awaiting a court decision - it is still dragging, but the next court date is in March 2007 and it is hoped that the management plan process will be allowed to continue.

165. Austria provided an update on the Lafnitztal Ramsar site, where the situation is now satisfactory.

166. Romania made a spirited and detailed intervention concerning Ukraine's actions on progressing the Bistroye canal navigation works in the Danube Delta, drawing attention to a succession of Ramsar and other international recommendations to Ukraine which have been ignored. Romania invited the SC to take all appropriate steps to urge Ukraine to respect Ramsar Resolution IX.15, para 27 iv.

167. The Senior Advisor for Africa drew attention to the fact that several Ramsar sites in Africa are threatened by oil and gas exploitation, either ongoing or planned, and foresaw that the Convention will have to respond to these emerging problems, presently in Chad, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya. He said that we are in consultation with UNEP about how to help the Parties respond to these problems.

168. The Republic of Korea provided information about the document's mention of Saemangeum - the project was planned long ago, begun in 1991, and sea-wall construction was finished last year. Several ministries are regularly monitoring the situation to minimize the ecological impact and the government is planning an EcoPark and environmentally friendly agriculture. The ROK government believes that intertidal mudflats should be preserved and no large-scale reclamation projects are now being approved.

169. BirdLife International found this to be a valuable exercise, obtaining updated reports on site problems in real time, and urged that the same should be requested for SC36. The SG agreed and said that these site status updates should be a standing item on the SC agenda.

170. The SG summarized that WWF has raised some concerns regarding Australia and has received responses on some of them. He reported that he has recently had talks with the Greek mission, which expressed concern about previous failures to respond to inquiries, but nothing has yet been received in follow-up and he will try to pursue that. He noted Romania's concerns and pledged the Secretariat's help in any way it can for Romania's efforts in bilateral talks with Ukraine. He thanked Parties for the other updates.

171. The SG reiterated the SRA for Africa's concerns about oil/gas exploitation in African Ramsar sites, but noted that, with modern technologies, such exploitations need not always be bad. He offered that the Secretariat would prepare a short info paper on this subject for SC36, possibly to eventuate in a DR for COP10.

Third day, 16 February 2007

Agenda item 15, continued:

Resolution IX.22 on Ramsar sites and protected area systems

172. The SG summarized background provided in DOC. SC35-15, specifically concerning an October 2006 symposium in Skukuza,