The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

World Wetlands Day in Azerbaijan

Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of

Republic of Azerbaijan

02/03/07

First of all I would like to express my gratitude for your letter on World Wetlands Day.

We fully support the activities devoted to "World Wetlands Day" held by Ramsar Convention on Wetlands which was ratified by the Republic of Azerbaijan on July 18, 2001.

The World Wetlands Day 2007 will be held under the slogan "Fish for Tomorrow". We support materials (posters, CDs and etc.) produced by you for World Wetlands Day on the topic of problems facing the world's wetlands and fisheries. These materials will be used for raising public awareness in the field of wetlands protection. A number of posters, booklets and leaflets have been published in this regard.

We are pleased to send you the report on the activities carried out by Azerbaijan in the field of wetlands protection and within the framework of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Sincerely,

Minister
Gussein Bagirov

Report on the activities implemented in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of wetlands protection within the framework of "Ramsar Convention on Wetlands."

Within the activities implemented in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the framework of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands the national report of Azerbaijan was prepared for Convention summit COP9 held in Kambala, Uganda in November 2005, the information submitted to the Convention in 2001 on Ag-gol and Gizilagaj wetland systems that are included to the Ramsar List of the Convention was fully renewed, some incorrect infonnation was cottected. Ramsar National Committee established by the order of the Ministry of Ecology and National Resources in 2005 has also organized its work in this direction and detennined the perspectives tor creation of relations with above mentioned Convention.

In accordance with the recommendation of the General Secretary of the Convention leaflets, posters on the theme of the above mentioned day were prepared, workshops in one of the main wetland areas Shirvan National Park with the participation of the scientific organizations, non-governmental organizations, foreign experts and representatives of the Ministry were organized.

In 2005 and 2006 painting competition on the theme "Let's preserve wetlands and their national resources" in the secondary school N.132 in Baku was organized and the winners were awarded with valuable gifts.

Business relations were established with the employees engaged in the area of studying and conservation of wetland ecosystems of countries such as Iran, Lebanon, Japan, India and Turkey during the different regional meetings held by the Convention. The regional meeting considered to be organized in Febmary 2007 in cooperation with Japan Ramsar Centre can be shown as a sample.

The Ramsar Azerbaijan National Committee, taking into account the international importance of some wetland ecosystems in Azerbaijan, considered implementing actions in appropriate order for inclusion of some of these territories to the Ramsar List in the near future. The main target is achieving the total area of 500 thousand hectares of territories included to Ramsar List to be the first in the Caucasus.
Establishment of the Ramsar Caucasus Center on the base of Scientific Research and Education Center located on the coast of Gizilgaz Lake in Shirvan National Park is also one of the priorities considered for implementation in the near future.

On February 02, 2006 World Wetlands Day was celebrated at the Scientific -Research and Education Centre in Shirvan National Park of Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan with participation of the representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations.

In February 02, 2007 workshop named "Wetlands in Azerbaijan - Priorities, Problems and Solutions" dedicated to World Wetlands Day was held at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Representatives from the Ministry, non-government organizations and German specialists participated at the workshop.

During the workshop has been pointed out expert opinions on the potential and ecological state of the existing large wetlands as well as on challenges and discussed the ways for their tackling. Further has taken place the exchange of opinions on duties befalling on the Ministry and society regarding the development of the above mentioned field.

In conclusion of the workshop celebrated as World Wetlands Day and regularly organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources was suggested to reform a working group engaged in this field in a more efficient way, so as to ensure the motivation of its activities in order to enhance national activities being undertaken within the "Ramsar Convention on Wetlands".

It should be noted that every year the inventory of birds species comprising the fauna. of the Republic of Azerbaijan (including those of settled and migratoxy species) is carried out with participation of representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations.

For further information about World Wetlands Day or the 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 5 March 2007, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.