Some Contracting Parties suggest that designation is not an end in itself but that the designation should be part of a strategy for the sustainable development or rejuvenation of a region, starting with the buffer zone. Contracting Parties continue to carry out, individually or in cooperation with others, site inventories, site management, monitoring of significant parameters, development of research lines, restoration of degraded wetlands. These activities should continue. Ramsar Administrative Authorities staff tend to be overloaded, and in the field Ramsar sites are often understaffed or have no staff for wardening at all. International Cooperation The Triangle Initiative is noted. Possible shared river basin initiatives have been noted (Mekong River, Tigris-Euphrates River Basin). Implementing the Convention in the future Some Contracting Parties report a lack of awareness amongst the public as well as decision makers of the value of wetlands. The consequence is that wetland conservation needs are not fully integrated into development plans and strategies across government departments. A low commitment to wetland conservation by local stakeholders can lead to conflicts with site management teams. It is also noted that the lack of awareness of wetland values can lead to inappropriate developments in the vicinity of Ramsar sites and wetlands, such as dams in the upstream catchments of important wetlands or other measures that impact on wetlands. It is further noted that in some cases wetlands are not recognised in existing legislation, and that existing water and land resources regulations are incompatible with wetland conservation and wise use. Coordination of all the actors, including government departments, private sectors, NGOs and communities, concerned by wetland management is a continuing challenge for Ramsar Administrative Authorities. Language (Arabic and Russian) Wise Use Contracting Parties continue to see the need to conduct surveys and inventories of their important wetland sites, and where these inventories exist, to update them when necessary. Contracting Parties see importance of drafting national strategies for wetlands that are harmonised with other relevant national strategies, such as those for water, biodiversity, and the environment in general. Some Contracting Parties cite the improvement of coordination and communication between institutions and stakeholders at all levels, in order to avoid duplication of efforts and waste of resources. CEPA Contracting Parties recognise the need to awareness of the importance of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention from the level of the highest decision-makers to the private sector so as to mainstream wetland conservation into economic and social development practices. Some Contracting Parties suggested improvement of networking and communication through CEPA.
Some Contracting Parties suggest that designation is not an end in itself but that the designation should be part of a strategy for the sustainable development or rejuvenation of a region, starting with the buffer zone. Contracting Parties continue to carry out, individually or in cooperation with others, site inventories, site management, monitoring of significant parameters, development of research lines, restoration of degraded wetlands. These activities should continue. Ramsar Administrative Authorities staff tend to be overloaded, and in the field Ramsar sites are often understaffed or have no staff for wardening at all. International Cooperation The Triangle Initiative is noted. Possible shared river basin initiatives have been noted (Mekong River, Tigris-Euphrates River Basin). Implementing the Convention in the future Some Contracting Parties report a lack of awareness amongst the public as well as decision makers of the value of wetlands. The consequence is that wetland conservation needs are not fully integrated into development plans and strategies across government departments. A low commitment to wetland conservation by local stakeholders can lead to conflicts with site management teams. It is also noted that the lack of awareness of wetland values can lead to inappropriate developments in the vicinity of Ramsar sites and wetlands, such as dams in the upstream catchments of important wetlands or other measures that impact on wetlands. It is further noted that in some cases wetlands are not recognised in existing legislation, and that existing water and land resources regulations are incompatible with wetland conservation and wise use. Coordination of all the actors, including government departments, private sectors, NGOs and communities, concerned by wetland management is a continuing challenge for Ramsar Administrative Authorities. Language (Arabic and Russian) Wise Use Contracting Parties continue to see the need to conduct surveys and inventories of their important wetland sites, and where these inventories exist, to update them when necessary. Contracting Parties see importance of drafting national strategies for wetlands that are harmonised with other relevant national strategies, such as those for water, biodiversity, and the environment in general. Some Contracting Parties cite the improvement of coordination and communication between institutions and stakeholders at all levels, in order to avoid duplication of efforts and waste of resources. CEPA Contracting Parties recognise the need to awareness of the importance of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention from the level of the highest decision-makers to the private sector so as to mainstream wetland conservation into economic and social development practices. Some Contracting Parties suggested improvement of networking and communication through CEPA.
Report%20to%20SPWG%20-%201st%20draft%20of%204th%20SP%20Final.docx