The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Ramsar Convention Secretariat Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland Switzerland e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org
What are wetlands? Wetlands are ecosystems that can be natural or artificial with water that is permanent or temporary, static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of coastal water that is less than six metres at low tide. Inland Wetlands Glaciers, lakes, marshes, rivers, streams, aquifers. Coastal Wetlands Mangroves, tidal flats, sea grass beds, coral reefs. Human-made wetlands: Rice fields, fish ponds, reservoirs, ditches and canals.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Background Adopted on 2 February, 1971; (2514) First of the modern intergovernmental environmental treaties Mission The conservation and wise use of wetlands through national actions, and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development. Contracting Parties 164 worldwide
The 3 Implementation Pillars The sustainable use of wetlands and their resources to benefit humankind. Wetland inventory Legislation Wetland CEPA Wise Use of Wetlands Ramsar Sites Designation of priority wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), and to ensure their conservation and wise use. < 2,160 sites wordwide. International cooperation International cooperation for shared wetlands and their resources, e.g. water, migratory species.
Implementation: National level National wetland inventory Identify the distribution and status of the wetlands in the country; assess the services they each provide and to prioritise them for conservation designation and management; Establishment of a National Wetland Committee Broad-based forum for discussion and/or decision making for the conservation and wise use of the wetlands; Involvement of all the relevant stakeholders. Review national legislation and policy To ensure that they are compatible for the conservation and wise use of wetlands; Development of a national wetland strategy/action plan Representative network of Ramsar Sites Covering priority wetland habitat types in the country
Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness Launched in 1997 as the Convention s annual campaign day - 2 February Materials are adapted by each country so that it is relevant for use
Implementation: Ramsar Site level Site designation is only the start.. Engage the local community - raise their awareness of the importance of the site; - gain their support and ensure their involvement in site designation, management and monitoring; Establish a broad-based site management committee Draft and implement management plan - Local involvement - Based on traditional knowledge and science - Restoration, monitoring Periodic assessments of the management effectiveness - Not only focus on the effectiveness of conservation, but on the benefits to the local community.
Ramsar Sites benefits of designation Wetlands designated as Ramsar Sites are in better condition. % of Asian Contracting Parties reporting Ramsar Site Condition improving 41 % Condition deteriorating 12 % Other wetlands 12 % 47 %
Support from STRP Scientific and Technical Review Panel Made up by 13 recognized experts and networks in the field of wetland conservation and wise use including: natural sciences, socio-economics, Communications, Education, Participation & Awareness (CEPA), to provide the best scientific and technical advice to the Convention. Support Provide advice on an as need basis Participate in Ramsar Advisory Missions (RAM) Drafting of Technical Report, Briefing Notes, COP Information Papers and Resolutions
Support from Partners Multilateral Environmental Agreements The Ramsar Convention is the lead implementation partner on wetlands for CBD through CBD COP3 Decision III/21 MoU and Joint Work Plan with many MEAs Biodiversity Related Conventions World Tourism Organization
Support from IOP s International Organization Partners (IOPs)
Ramsar Sites: Myanmar-Lower Mekong Region Country No. Ramsar Sites Cambodia 3 Lao PDR 2 Myanmar 1 Thailand 14 Vietnam 5
Threats to wetlands and species Overexploitation Water pollution Flow modification Habitat degradation Species invasion
GOVERNANCE who has the power to make decisions that affect wetlands and wetland users and how those decisions are made who has the power and responsibility to implement those decisions and how those decisions are implemented who is held accountable, and how, for implementation.
GOVERNANCE Components of Governance - Policies - Laws and other norms - Institutions - Processes Qualities of Governance - predictability/rule of law - transparency - participation - accountability
GOVERNANCE ISSUES 1 Inadequate /poorly implemented policy, law, and/or processes Mandates of different agencies are often unclear and overlapping Planning is done on a sectoral basis with limited cross-sectoral collaboration
GOVERNANCE ISSUES 2 Participation of civil society stakeholders in wetlands planning and management Unclear legal status/ open-access resources Traditional practices breaking down because of modern external pressures
Legal and Policy Reform Draft Lao Water Law recognises wetlands Cancellation of commercial fishing lots in Tonle Sap New Ramsar sites in last 3 years (Lao 2; Vietnam 3 Thailand 2, Cambodia?)
Challenges Ahead Hydropower Development in the Mekong Basin Economic Corridors in the GMS $12 billion water management plan in Thailand