Those responsible for electronic and They have the capacity to convey positive and print media informative messages about wetlands at local, national or international levels. Community leaders and prominent Community leaders can use their public profile to draw people athletes, sports people, attention to issues; and celebrity figures may be ideal – religious leaders, artists, royalty, ambassadors to promote the Ramsar message. teachers, opinion leaders, etc. D. THE BUSINESS SECTOR Target Rationale for engagement Potential sponsors, supporters Business sponsors and supporters can assist the Convention develop wise use materials and activities at international, national and local levels and also ensure that their business activities are not contrary to the objectives of the Convention. Key business sectors such as They have the potential to have significant negative water and sanitation; irrigation and impacts on wetlands. water supply; agriculture; mining; forestry; fishing; tourism; waste disposal; energy Professional Associations Some of these will have the potential to have major negative impacts on wetlands. E. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Target Group/Individuals Rationale for engagement Global organizations World Bank, They work with governments on a of sustainable – Global Environment Facility, United development issues and may have access to funding Nations Development Programme, programmes. United Nations Environment Programme, Global Water Partnership, etc. Regional organizations South Pacific As above. – Regional Environment Program, European Commission, Southern Africa Development Community, Regional Development Banks, ASEAN Environmental Programme, etc. Global NGO partners (BirdLife, IWMI, While Ramsar’s five official NGO partners are active in IUCN, Wetlands International, and promoting the Ramsar Convention, there is a need to WWF) and other international and involve more regional and international NGOs in regional NGOs communicating the Ramsar message. The secretariats of other Working with selected Secretariats can increase synergy instruments (CBD, UNCCD, CMS, among the conventions at the global and national scales UNFCCC, CITES, World Heritage, MAB) bringing benefits for Ramsar.
Those responsible for electronic and print media They have the capacity to convey positive and informative messages about wetlands at local, national or international levels. Community leaders and prominent people – athletes, sports people, religious leaders, artists, royalty, teachers, opinion leaders, etc. Community leaders can use their public profile to draw attention to issues; and celebrity figures may be ideal ambassadors to promote the Ramsar message. D. THE BUSINESS SECTOR Target Rationale for engagement Potential sponsors, supporters Business sponsors and supporters can assist the Convention develop wise use materials and activities at international, national and local levels and also ensure that their business activities are not contrary to the objectives of the Convention. Key business sectors such as water and sanitation; irrigation and water supply; agriculture; mining; forestry; fishing; tourism; waste disposal; energy They have the potential to have significant negative impacts on wetlands. Professional Associations Some of these will have the potential to have major negative impacts on wetlands. E. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Target Group/Individuals Rationale for engagement Global organizations – World Bank, Global Environment Facility, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, Global Water Partnership, etc. They work with governments on a of sustainable development issues and may have access to funding programmes. Regional organizations – South Pacific Regional Environment Program, European Commission, Southern Africa Development Community, Regional Development Banks, ASEAN Environmental Programme, etc. As above. Global NGO partners (BirdLife, IWMI, IUCN, Wetlands International, and WWF) and other international and regional NGOs While Ramsar’s five official NGO partners are active in promoting the Ramsar Convention, there is a need to involve more regional and international NGOs in communicating the Ramsar message. The secretariats of other instruments (CBD, UNCCD, CMS, UNFCCC, CITES, World Heritage, MAB) Working with selected Secretariats can increase synergy among the conventions at the global and national scales bringing benefits for Ramsar.