The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Ramsar condolences on the passing of Robert Martel of Canada

Ms Gordana Beltram, Chairperson of the Ramsar Standing Committee, has requested the Secretariat to transmit the following message:

“Dear Colleagues,

I have received this morning the following e-mail from our colleague Trevor Swerdfager.

“I am not sure if this news will have made its way to you yet but it is with great sadness that I must tell you that Robert Martel who represented me at Ramsar Standing Committee earlier this month was killed in a tragic accident in France not far from Geneva on June 17th.  He was at a paragliding club and crashed and did not survive the accident.  Needless to say, we are tremendously saddened by this accident; it is a great loss for us in the Canadian Wildlife Service and of course for Robert’s family.”

I was personally devastated by this tragic news as Robert did so much to make the SC31 a success, as a new person to the Ramsar process yet acting with understanding, wisdom, authority and efficiency, that to me as Chair was invaluable, and to our colleagues in the secretariat a great support. Robert became a real friend in no time and will always remain so.

I have asked Trevor to pass on our deepest condolences to Roberts’s co-workers and of course to his family. 

I am sorry to bring you such very sad news, but let us continue with our work for COP9 to make Robert’s brief but effective contribution live on.

With my best wishes

 Gordana Beltram”

Madame Gordana Beltram, Présidente du Comité permanent de Ramsar, a prié le Secrétariat de transmettre le message suivant, de sa part:

« Chers Collègues,

J’ai reçu ce matin le message suivant de notre collègue M. Trevor Swerdfager (en anglais) :

“I am not sure if this news will have made its way to you yet but it is with great sadness that I must tell you that Robert Martel who represented me at Ramsar Standing Committee earlier this month was killed in a tragic accident in France not far from Geneva on June 17th.  He was at a paragliding club and crashed and did not survive the accident.  Needless to say, we are tremendously saddened by this accident; it is a great loss for us in the Canadian Wildlife Service and of course for Robert’s family.”

Je suis complètement bouleversée par cette nouvelle tragique. Robert a tant contribué au succès de la 31e Session du Comité permanent, lui qui était nouveau parmi nous et qui a pourtant fait preuve de tant de compréhension, de sagesse, d’autorité et d’efficacité. Il m’a été d’une aide inestimable dans mes fonctions de Présidente, et d’un grand soutien à nos collègues du Secrétariat. En très peu de temps, Robert est devenu un vrai ami, et le restera à jamais.

J’ai demandé à Trevor de transmettre nos condoléances les plus sincères aux collègues de Robert, et bien sûr à sa famille.

Je regrette de devoir vous faire part d’une nouvelle si triste. Continuons nos efforts pour la COP9, de façon à ce que la contribution de Robert, de brève durée mais si efficace, survive dans la durée.

Gordana Beltram. »

Sra. Gordana Beltram, Presidenta del Comité Permanente Ramsar, ha solicitado que la Secretaría transmita el siguiente mensaje:
 
Estimados colegas,
 
Esta mañana he recibido el siguiente mensaje vía e-mail de nuestro colega Trevor Swerdfager.

“I am not sure if this news will have made its way to you yet but it is with great sadness that I must tell you that Robert Martel who represented me at Ramsar Standing Committee earlier this month was killed in a tragic accident in France not far from Geneva on June 17th.  He was at a paragliding club and crashed and did not survive the accident.  Needless to say, we are tremendously saddened by this accident; it is a great loss for us in the Canadian Wildlife Service and of course for Robert’s family.”

En lo personal esta noticia me ha consternado dada la participación que tuvo Robert para que el SC31 fuera un éxito, como nuevo participante en el proceso Ramsar y sin embargo actuando con comprensión, buen juicio, autoridad y eficacia, que a mí como Presidenta me fueron invaluables, y de gran ayuda a nuestros colegas en la Secretaría. Robert se convirtió en un verdadero amigo en poco tiempo y siempre lo permanecerá.
 
He solicitado a Trevor que le comunique nuestras más profundas condolencias a los colaboradores y familiares de Robert.
 
Me aflige el hacerles llegar noticias tan tristes, pero continuemos con nuestro trabajo hacia la COP9 con el fin de lograr que el corto pero brillante legado de Robert perdure.
 
Con mis mejores deseos,
 
Gordana Beltram

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 24 June 2005, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.