CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
Distr. GENERAL
UNEP/CBD/COP/3/30
23 September 1996
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
[ADVANCE COPY]
CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Third meeting
Buenos Aires, Argentina
4 to 15 November 1996
Item 18 of the provisional agenda
1. INTRODUCTION
1. Article 23, paragraph 4(h), of the Convention
on Biological Diversity (the Convention) requires the Conference
of the Parties (COP) to contact, through the Secretariat, the
executive bodies of conventions dealing with matters covered by
the Convention with a view to establishing appropriate forms of
cooperation with them. Article 24, paragraph 1(d), requires the
Secretariat to coordinate with other relevant international bodies
and, in particular, to enter into such administrative and contractual
arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of
its functions.
2. At its first meeting, the COP requested the Executive
Secretary to contact the secretariats of conventions dealing with
matters covered by the Convention with a view to establishing
the appropriate forms of cooperation, and to report to the COP
(decision I/5). At its second meeting, the COP considered document
UNEP/CBD/COP/2/inf.2, and requested the Executive Secretary, inter
alia, to coordinate with the secretariats of relevant biodiversity-related
conventions with a view to: facilitating the exchange of information
and experience; exploring the possibility of recommending procedures
for harmonising, to the extent desirable and practicable, the
reporting requirements of parties under those instruments and
conventions; exploring the possibility of coordinating their respective
programmes of work; and consulting on how such conventions and
other international legal instruments related to biological diversity
can contribute to the implementation of the provisions of the
Convention (decision II/13).
3. The present document, prepared by the Executive
Secretary in cooperation with the Secretary General of the Convention
on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl
Habitat (the Ramsar Convention), together with the annexed note
by the Ramsar Convention Bureau, sets out some areas of synergy
and possible cooperation between the Convention and the Ramsar
Convention. It has been prepared for the COP as a complement to
document UNEP/CBD/COP/3/29, to provide a concrete example of synergies
and cooperation between the Convention and related conventions.
4. Part II of this note considers briefly the importance
of wetland ecosystems for the conservation and sustainable use
of biological diversity. Part III introduces the Ramsar Convention.
Some areas of synergy and overlap between the Convention and the
Ramsar Convention are outlined in Part IV. A number of these issues
are discussed in more detail in the paper prepared by the Ramsar
Convention Bureau (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/Inf.21). Part V describes the
Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Executive Secretary and
the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention in 1996. Finally,
Part VI offers some suggestions as to areas of further collaboration
between the Convention and the Ramsar Convention over the near-term.
2. WETLANDS AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
5. Wetlands are areas where there is permanent standing
water or where water accumulates for at least part of the year.
These highly varied ecosystems, which include rivers, lakes, marshes,
estuaries, lagoons, mangroves, seagrass beds and peatlands, are
among the most valuable natural resources on Earth.
6. Many wetlands support high levels of biological
diversity and provide essential life-support for much of humanity
as well as for other species. Estuaries, seagrass beds and tropical
freshwater swamps are among the most productive, while coral reefs
are among the most diverse of all ecosystems (nearly one-third
of all known fish species live on coral reefs). Other wetlands
support a wide variety of plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians,
reptiles, and mammals, as well as millions of individuals of both
migratory and sedentary waterbird species.
7. Levels of species diversity do, however, vary considerably between different wetland ecosystems: some lakes display high levels of diversity and endemism (that is, have large numbers of species found nowhere else), whereas others support little life. The levels of richness of many aquatic ecosystems are still poorly known compared with many terrestrial ecosystems, with large numbers of undescribed species, particularly fishes and invertebrates.8. Wetlands are a vital part of the hydrological cycle, whereby water is continuously being recycled through the land, sea and atmosphere, and play a key role in the provision and maintenance of water quality and quantity.
9. As well as acting as storehouses of biological
diversity, wetlands perform many other functions that have social
and economic value. For example, they may be crucial in coastal
protection, flood prevention or alleviation, the maintenance of
water quality and abatement of pollution, the regulation of water
supplies (including groundwater), and the maintenance of important
fisheries and sustainable hunting grounds. Many wetlands also
provide leisure, tourism and recreation opportunities for large
numbers of people each year an important economic and social consideration
for many countries.
10. The multiple benefits of wetlands have long been
overlooked, and in many instances wetlands have been used as dumping
grounds for waste materials, or have been drained and in-filled
to provide land for construction or agriculture. The expansion
and intensification of agriculture has been one cause of wetland
loss, a trend that is still continuing, often with the support
of national subsidies and policies that encourage the conversion
of wetland sites. The loss of wetlands through drainage, in-fill,
pollution, the introduction of exotic species, or the alteration
of natural water flow rates through dam construction, canalisation
or water-diversion programmes, results in habitat degradation
and fragmentation, and the significant loss of biological diversity.
Recently, however, there has been an increased awareness of the
ecological, economic and social functions of wetlands.
11. Wetlands almost invariably receive key inputs
(most notably their water supply) from areas and ecosystems beyond
their boundaries, sometimes a great distance away. Measures aimed
at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their
resources therefore require the adoption of integrated approaches
that fully take into account the potential impacts of activities
within the whole of their catchment.
3. THE RAMSAR CONVENTION
12. The Ramsar Convention was adopted in 1971. Its
mission is "the conservation and wise use of wetlands by
national action and international cooperation as a means to achieving
sustainable development throughout the world". Since it entered
into force in 1975, a total of 93 states have become Contracting
Parties, and more than 800 wetland sites (covering more than 500,000km2)
have been included by Contracting Parties in the Ramsar List of
Wetlands of International Importance.
13. Article 1(1) of the Ramsar Convention defines
wetlands for the purposes of that convention as areas of marsh,
fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent
or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish
or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at
low tide does not exceed six metres.
14. Upon becoming Contracting Parties to the Ramsar
Convention, countries are to designate at least one wetland to
be included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance
(Article 2(5) Ramsar Convention). Contracting Parties are required,
inter alia, to formulate and implement their planning so
as to promote both the conservation of the wetlands included in
the List and, as far as possible, the wise use of wetlands in
their territory (Article 3(1) Ramsar Convention).
15. Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention
are also required to promote the conservation of wetlands in their
territory through the establishment of nature reserves, and to
promote training in the fields of research, management and wardening.
Article 5 of the Ramsar Convention requires Contracting Parties
to consult with other Contracting Parties regarding the implementation
of obligations, particularly in the case of trans-frontier wetlands
and shared water systems.
16. To aid in the implementation of the aims of the
Ramsar Convention, the Conference of the Contracting Parties to
the Ramsar Convention has adopted resolutions and recommendations
concerning the following:
(a) definitions of the terms wise use, guidelines
and additional guidelines to help in the implementation
of the wise-use concept and aid the development of national wetland
policies;
(b) the Ramsar "Small Grants Fund for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use";
(c) a standardised data-sheet for describing wetlands;
(d) a global classification of wetland types;
(e) Guidelines for Management Planning for Wetlands;
(f) a working definition of ecological character;
(g) the "Montreux Record", which identifies
Ramsar sites in need of urgent conservation action; and
(h) the "Management Guidance Procedure",
by which the Convention provides advice and assistance for sites
on the Montreux Record.
17. A Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP)
was established in 1993 to meet at least once a year to carry
out scientific and technical tasks required for the application
and review of the procedures, criteria and guidelines within the
Ramsar system. The STRP is made up of seven members with appropriate
scientific and technical knowledge, appointed by the Conference
of the Contracting Parties, but acting on an individual basis
and not as representatives of Contracting Parties. Members are
appointed with due regard for the equitable representation of
each region.
18. The most recent (sixth) meeting of the Conference
of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention adopted a
Strategic Plan for the years 1997-2002. This plan outlines in
considerable detail the goals of the Ramsar Convention over the
next five years and is contained in UNEP/CBD/COP/3/Inf.42. The
Strategic Plan provides the basis for identifying areas of synergy
between the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on Biological
Diversity and provides the basis for the following section.
5. COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY AND THE RAMSAR CONVENTION
19. The Convention on Biological Diversity and the
Ramsar Convention share a number of goals and objectives related
to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
In complementing each other, the conventions can make a significant
contribution towards achieving the conservation and sustainable
(or "wise") use of wetland biological diversity.
20. The Ramsar Strategic Plan for 1997-2002 explicitly
includes an action "to strengthen cooperation and synergy
with the Convention on Biological Diversity, in particular with
regard to inclusion of wetland concerns in national biodiversity
strategies, and planning and execution of projects affecting wetlands"
(Strategic Plan Action 7.2.3). The COP may wish to note the relevance
of this action in the light of Article 6 of the Convention.
21. Article 7 of the Convention addresses the identification
and monitoring of the various components of biological diversity.
Such efforts are an on-going part of the Ramsar Convention's work
plan. To this end, the Ramsar Convention Bureau has supported
other qualified scientific and technical partners in the compilation
of regional inventories of wetlands in several parts of the world
and has encouraged Contracting Parties to develop national wetland
inventories. The Ramsar Convention Bureau is currently beginning
to develop a quantification of global wetland resources as baseline
information for considering trends in wetland conservation or
loss (Strategic Plan Action 6.1.3). Operational Objective 6 of
the Strategic Plan aims at designating for the Ramsar List those
wetlands that meet the Ramsar criteria, especially types still
under-represented on the List.
22. The in situ conservation of wetland ecosystems
is a great concern of both the Convention and the Ramsar Convention;
for example, with regard to the establishment and management of
protected areas, the sustainable (wise) use of wetland resources,
the rehabilitation of degraded areas, the control and prevention
of introduced alien species, and the development of effective
national capacities for management. Effective in situ conservation
requires that ecosystem functioning and processes, as well as
genetic diversity, are maintained in a network of sites that are
comprehensive and representative in terms of all levels of ecological
organisation genetic, species and ecosystem. The COP may wish
to recognise that the designation of wetlands for the Ramsar List
of Wetlands of International Importance is a useful tool for promoting
the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
23. Both the Convention and the Ramsar Convention
recognise the need for further research, training and other capacity-building
initiatives (Article 12 of the Convention and Article 4, paragraphs
3 and 5, of Ramsar). Such actions are important for the successful
identification and management of wetlands of national and international
importance. Both conventions recognise the need for international
cooperation, including the transfer of environmentally sound technology
and the exchange of information to achieve their goals (Articles
17 and 18 of the Convention and General Objective 4 of Ramsar's
Strategic Plan). The Ramsar Convention also intends to encourage
the involvement and participation of the private sector in order
to stimulate greater recognition of wetland functions and values
when considering development proposals that might impact on wetlands
(Operational Objective 2.8 of Ramsar's Strategic Plan).
24. Both conventions recognise the need for adequate financial resources, particularly for developing countries, for implementation. Several provisions of Ramsar's Strategic Plan address the need to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition to obtain funds to fulfil obligations under the Ramsar Convention. These include close working relations with bilateral and multilateral agencies, and mobilising support from such agencies to developing countries in support of the conservation and wise use of wetlands and in the implementation of the Strategic Plan. The COP may wish to recognise the valuable role of Ramsar's Small Grants Fund and its more recent Wetlands for the Future initiative.
25. Each Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention
is required to provide a triennial report on its implementation.
These reports are prepared according to a standardised outline
and are submitted to the Ramsar Convention Bureau. National authorities
are obliged to comply with monitoring and reporting procedures
for a large number of international agreements and for some countries
this represents a significant and increasingly difficult burden
of administration. The COP may wish to consider whether efforts
should be made to ensure that, as far as possible, there is compatibility
between the reporting requirements of the Convention and the Ramsar
Convention for matters relating to wetland ecosystems. The COP
may also wish to consider in what ways the coordination between
national focal points for the conventions might be achieved. In
considering harmonising reporting requirements, the COP may wish
to be mindful of potential areas of overlap between Ramsar, the
Convention and other conventions and international processes;
for example, in the considerations of mangrove ecosystems, which
are covered under both wetland and forest-related processes, or
fisheries, which are covered by a range of fisheries resource
assessments and agreements.
26. In relation to scientific and technical cooperation
between the Convention and the Ramsar Convention, Resolution VI.9,
adopted by the Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting
Parties to the Ramsar Convention in March 1996, instructed the
Ramsar STRP to exchange information, cooperate and coordinate
activities with the Convention's Subsidiary Body on Scientific,
Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). A representative
of the Ramsar STRP attended the second meeting of the SBSTTA as
an observer. Similarly, a member of the Bureau of the SBSTTA attended
a recent meeting of the Ramsar STRP.
5. MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION
27. In accordance with Article 24, paragraph 1(d),
of the Convention and paragraph 4 of decision II/13 of the COP,
on 19 January 1996, the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention
and the Executive Secretary of the Convention signed a Memorandum
of Cooperation.
28. The Memorandum of Cooperation sets out four areas
of action: institutional cooperation; the exchange of information
and experience; the coordination of programmes of work; and joint
conservation action. It notes that the secretariats will institute
measures for consultations on the implementation of the memorandum
and will report, accordingly, to their respective governing bodies
and seek further guidance on new areas of cooperation. The full
text of the memorandum is contained in UNEP/CBD/COP/3/Inf.38.
29. Resolution VI.9, adopted at the Sixth Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, welcomed the Memorandum of Cooperation and requested the Ramsar Convention Bureau to give priority in its programme of work to the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation.
6. CONCLUSIONS
30. The COP may wish to endorse the Memorandum of
Cooperation and to consider aspects of cooperation to which priority
attention should be given by the Executive Secretary.
31. The COP may wish to take note of the Ramsar Convention
Strategic Plan for 1997-2002 and may wish to encourage those Parties
of this Convention who are not Contracting Parties to the Ramsar
Convention to become so.
32. Concrete efforts have been initiated to enhance
cooperation and coordination in the work of the Convention and
the Ramsar Convention in relation to wetland ecosystems. The COP
may wish to consider specific activities that may be undertaken
in order to capitalise upon synergies between the two conventions.
In particular, over the short term, the COP may wish to consider
the following:
(a) requesting the Executive Secretary, in collaboration
with the Ramsar Convention Bureau, to investigate the possibility
of establishing an integrated information-management system and
database with the Ramsar Convention. This might form the first
phase of a broader effort at developing an integrated information
system with other biodiversity-related conventions. Such an effort
might also include exploring the possibility of harmonising reporting
requirements under the two conventions;
(b) requesting the Executive Secretary to seek inputs
from the Ramsar Convention in preparation for the COP's consideration
of the status and trends of inland water ecosystems at its fourth
meeting;
(c) elaborating upon the role of the Ramsar Convention
in the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate on marine and coastal
biological diversity;
(d) encouraging Parties to the Convention to include
wetlands in their national strategies, plans or programmes under
Article 6 of the Convention;
(e) requesting the Ramsar Convention to cooperate
as a lead partner in the implementation of activities under the
Convention related to wetlands; and
(f) requesting the Ramsar Convention to provide a
report to the COP on progress made in cooperation with the Convention.