12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP12)

On Thursday, 4 June, Ramsar COP12 met in plenary throughout the day. In the morning, delegates heard presentations on whether the SDGs could help save wetlands and on the financial report 2012-2015, and a statement from the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) who had been invited by SC48 to participate in COP12. Delegates then proceeded with the election of the Standing Committee 2015-2018, and started consideration of draft resolutions and recommendations submitted by parties and by the SC, focusing on the proposed Ramsar strategic plan 2016-2021. In the afternoon, delegates considered draft resolutions on: enhancing the languages of the Convention and its visibility and stature, and increasing synergies with other MEAs and international institutions; and resource mobilization and partnership framework of the Ramsar Convention, and proposal to add Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust as an International Organization Partner. A working group met at lunchtime and in the evening to discuss the draft resolution on financial and budgetary matters.