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EAAFP engagement at Ramsar COP14 with the theme “wetlands actions for people and nature”
Ramsar Convention ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP The 14th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar COP14) was held in Wuhan, China and Geneva, Switzerland between 5th and 13th November, 2022, with a theme “Wetland Action for People and Nature”. The conference welcomed representatives from 146 Contracting Parties and 55 organizations, joining both on-site and online. The 8-day conference concluded with 21 resolutions adopted to strengthen conservation efforts for wetlands with expanded scope and diversity of work, including youth, indigenous people and local communities. The East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), as one of the Ramsar Regional Initiatives, joined COP14, with many of the EAAFP Partners. For official conference report of COP14, please download it here. Highlights of COP14 outcomes Wuhan Declaration After the Opening Ceremony on 5th November, a High-Level Ministerial Segment was convened on 6th November in Wuhan with 24 ministers and ambassadors shining a spotlight on their achievements and accomplishments to their wetland conservation efforts. At the close of this session the participants adopted the Wuhan Declaration (download here) was adopted which mandates: take appropriate and urgent measures to achieve the goal of halting and reversing the loss of wetlands globally; mobilize more resources to strengthen implementation of the Convention’s Fourth Strategic Plan; support legislation and implementation of wetlands conservation, restoration, management, and wise and sustainable use in harmony with the Convention; and strengthen technical cooperation and knowledge sharing among global wetland conservation practitioners through established Ramsar Regional Initiatives (RRIs), the STRP, the Convention’s communication, education, participation, capacity building and awareness programme (CEPA), and other subsidiary scientific bodies related to multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). This declaration set the stage for the following days of negotiations as it acknowledged the urgency to halt and reverse wetland loss as one of the greatest mitigators of climate change and the vital role this plays in climate change adaptation, biodiversity protection and sustainable development. Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands giving opening remarks ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP Sarah Fowler, Chief Executive, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust giving remarks on behalf of IOPs ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP Resolutions A total of 24 draft resolutions were considered with 21 resolutions adopted at the end. Key ones included: Resolution on financial and budgetary matters (COP14 Doc.18.1 Rev.1) Review of the fourth Strategic Plan and key elements for the fifth Strategic Plan (COP14 Doc.18.4 Rev.1) Resolution on Ramsar Regional Initiatives – Operational Guidelines (COP14 Doc.18.9 Rev.2) Resolution on the new CEPA approach (COP14 Doc.18.10 Rev.3) Resolution on wetland education in the formal education sector (COP14 Doc.18.13 Rev.1) Resolution on strengthening Ramsar connections through youth (COP14 Doc.18.14 Rev.1) Review of Ramsar Criteria, and delisting Ramsar Sites (COP14 Doc.18.16 Rev.1) Waterbird population estimates to support new and existing Ramsar Site designations (COP14 Doc.18.21 Rev.1) Protection, conservation, restoration, sustainable use and management of wetland ecosystems in addressing climate change (COP14 Doc.18.20 Rev.3) Mr. Dylan Jones, the first Youth Ramsar Representative of the Australian Government presenting the draft resolution on engaging youth ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP Engagement of EAAFP Partners and Secretariat at Ramsar COP14 Many EAAFP Partners are contracting parties or International Organization Partners (IOPs) to the Ramsar Convention, and they were actively engaged in taking roles in different thematic groups, involved in proposing and providing inputs to draft resolutions, organized and participated in over 35 side events, and holding booths (Read more). Prior to COP14, two Pre-COP Orientations were organized to equip delegates, especially youth, smaller CSOs and NGOs and newcomers to Ramsar COP14. One was for Youth and Civil Society (25th October and 1st November) and another one focuses on the Ramsar CEPA programme by Wetland Link International (25th and 26th October) (Read more). Side Events Spotlight Scaling up the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) The Regional Flyway Initiative partnership - BirdLife International, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) successfully held a Side Event at the COP on 8th November 2022, to bring countries’ attention to the RFI and its contribution to the sustainable use of wetlands in this important flyway region. Dr. Duong Thanh Director of Viet Nam’s Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency and Mr. Anson Tagtag, Ramsar focal point for the Philippines gave presentations on how the RFI could contribute to their national biodiversity agenda and policies and in elevating the lives of communities dependent on wetlands. The Side Event also included statements from Beom-Sik Yoo from the Ramsar Secretariat, Ward Hagemeijer from Wetlands International, and Warren Evans from ADB. ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP Launch of the Indo-Burma Wetland Outlook: Key recommendations for strengthening collaboration through the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative The Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) was developed jointly by the Ramsar Contracting Parties of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, with the support of IUCN Asia. On 9th November, a side event to launch the Indo-Burma Wetland Outlook as part of IBRRI’s Strategic Plan (2019-2024), was held. The session was facilitated by IUCN Asia to generate discussion with invited speakers Mr. Suh Sheung Oh from RRCEA, Dr. Mary Kristerie A. Baleva from ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Tomos Avent from Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Dr. Ding Li Yong from BirdLife International and Mr. Doug Watkins, CE of EAAFP to share views on Outlook and initiate the development of a plan to implement the recommended actions. ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP Launch of the 2022 IUCN situation analysis on intertidal wetlands in the Yellow Sea (PRC, DPRK and RoK) The Yellow Sea is bordered by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (RoK), and represents the largest area of intertidal flats on the planet, and the most important staging area for migratory waterbirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Considering these changes, IUCN members recommended that the 2012 Situational Analysis be updated in 2022. The side event was held on 7th November, supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and facilitated by IUCN and the EAAFP Secretariat, will provide an opportunity for three Ramsar Contracting Parties, experts and partners from the Yellow Sea region to consider the key results of this updated report and their implications in terms of conservation and management of intertidal wetlands, with a focus on transboundary cooperation. The Future of Wetlands - an Intergenerational Dialogue On 12th November, an intergenerational dialogue hosted by Youth Engaged in Wetlands was held to create an opportunity for youth who are working on wetlands, to interact with experienced wetland professionals. Opening remarks were given by Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of Ramsar Secretariat, Prof. Lei Guangchun, Chair of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel and Mr. Doug Watkins. After that, the session was followed by an intergenerational dialogue with young professionals and experts from Mangrove Foundation, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, IUCN, Youth Engaged in Wetlands, Wetlands International, WWT and World Wetlands Network. ©Vivian Fu/EAAFP Other highlights EAAFP Networking Dinner at Ramsar COP 14 The Ramsar COP14 was an excellent opportunity for the EAAFP and their Partners to meet and engage in dialogue after not being able to conduct meetings in person due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On 6th November 2022, the EAAFP Secretariat took advantage of this occasion to reinforce the connection between Partners by hosting a networking dinner in Geneva. © EAAFP Every morning before the plenary, there were Regional Meetings. On 10th November, 2022, a memorial session was dedicated to late Dr. Lew Young, former Chief Executive of EAAFP and former Senior Regional Advisor for Asia & Oceania for the Ramsar Secretariat. Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also gave a tribute to Dr. Lew Young. © Hyeseon Do/EAAFP The EAAFP Secretariat and Partners ran several booths during the Ramsar COP14 to enhance interaction with the delegates. ©EAAFP Young people are key stakeholders in wetland conservation and many of them are taking action. A virtual event “Youthful Wetland Dialogue on Metaverse at Ramsar COP14” was created by WWF-Hong Kong and EAAFP Secretariat for all youth participants to showcase their work, share ideas and interact with each other around the world during Ramsar COP14 held from 5th to 13th November, 2022 (Read more). ©WWF-Hong Kong
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EAAFP Partners engagement at Ramsar COP14
The 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) of The Convention on Wetlands will take place from 5 to 13 November 2022, with the theme “Wetlands Actions for People and Nature”. Hosted by China and taking place in both Wuhan, China and Geneva, Switzerland, this Hybrid Conference will convene all Contracting Parties and Observers of the Ramsar Convention to adopt resolutions for administering the Convention and guiding its implementation. The EAAFP Secretariat and our Partners will take part in the discussions actively by attending the conference, organizing side events and running booths. The partnership will assist in working towards a better future for wetlands and migratory birds. For information on the COP14 agenda and resolutions, visit the COP14 webpage [here]. The Secretariat is summarizing the side events organized or joined by the EAAFP Secretariat and the Partners. You can download the flyer highlighting the side events by EAAFP and Partners [here] For a full schedule of side events, click [here] . SIDE EVENT (07/11/22, MON)ORGANIZERSSLOT (CET)ROOM Global Mangroves into 2030/2050Mangrove Foundation(MCF, China), National Forestry and Grassland Administration PRC, UNDP-GEF, UN Ocean IUCN, WWF, Wetlands International, The Global Mangrove Alliance 12:15-13:15Plenary C Delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework: Inland Water Global Restoration Targets for the next DecadeWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF), TNC, IUCN, Wetland International, Birdlife, WWT12:15-13:15Plenary F The Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands: A Paradigm Shift to Meet Global ChallengesSociety of Wetland Scientists, Wetlands International12:15-13:15Plenary E Finance for Adaptation, Biodiversity and Wetlands: what are we learning from evaluationsIndependent Evaluation Unit, Green Climate Fund, ADB-IED, DEval, EBRD, EIB, CIFOR-ICRAF, IUCN, AF-TERG12:15-13:15Room 14 Interactive dialogue on the importance of wetlands, climate change and ecosystem serviceMinisterio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de Republica Dominicana, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología y Medio Ambiente de Cuba, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Suriname,Trinidad and Tobago, the Secretariatof the Ramsar Convention on Wetland, Stur University and Delft Institute18:30-19:30Plenary F Community wetland management for livelihood and biodiversity resilienceInternational Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka, Cobra Collective, UK International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Department of Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Wildlife Resources Sri Lanka (Ramsar focal point)18:30-19:30Room 4 Recommendations on 'Delivering the EU Green Deal through landscape restoration. A 4R Framework lens for integrating multiple policy priorities.'Wetlands International, Commonland, Landscape Finance Lab 18:30-19:30Plenary E Global Wetland Watch, the World Wetland Network and Civil Society Engagement with the Ramsar ConventionWildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Society of Wetland Scientists; Cobra Collective; World Wetland Network18:30-19:30Room 14 Reducing the impact of sand mining to conserve the world wetlandsWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF), UNEP, IUCN, Holcim/Lafarge 19:45-20:45Plenary C Launch of the 2022 IUCN situation analysis on intertidal wetlands in the Yellow Sea (PRC, DPRK and RoK)International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, Birdlife International, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wetlands International, Hanns Seidel Foundation, Korea Getbol World Heritage Pro19:45-20:45Plenary F Wetlands as Nature-based Solution for sustainable food productionThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Secretariat, CGIAR19:45-20:45Room 14 How to run Ramsar sites over time? Feedbacks to improve wetlands managementAssociation Ramsar France, French Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea Ministry of Environment19:45-20:45Plenary E Wetlands as Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development and Climate Change MitigationMedWet MedSea Foundation, EuroNatur, WWF Tunisie, WWF Spain, Tour du Valat, IUCN ECARO, BirdLife Europe, IUCN-Med, MAVA Foundation19:45-20:45Room 3 SIDE EVENT (08/11/22, TUE)ORGANIZERSSLOT (CET)ROOM LAUNCH OF THE WORLD COASTAL FORUMBirdLife International, Eco-Foundation Global Ministry of Natural Resources of China National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China Yancheng Municipal People's Government, China World Coastal Forum Establishment Group members (to be added) 13:15-14:15Plenary F Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84914398993?pwd=eER2K2hwSHdIeVNSMGtZei9BRUcrZz09 Meeting ID: 849 1439 8993 PIN: 468384 Unpacking the potential of wetlands for addressing climate change and biodiversity lossInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Geneva Environment Network, ICLEI Europe 13:15-14:15Room 3 Ramsar’s new approach to delivering better CEPA and the new WWT global wetland capacity building facilityWildfowl & Wetlands Trust(WWT), Mangrove Foundation (MCF), RRC-EA, Society of Wetland Scientist, The Nature Conservancy, Youth Engaged in Wetlands13:15-14:15Room 14 Regional Collaboration for Wetlands Wise Use in South AsiaWetlands International South Asia, Ramsar Regional Center East Asia International Water Management Institute GIZ-India (Indo German Biodiversity Programme)18:30-19:30Plenary F Celebrating wetlands during the World Wetlands DayAssociation Ramsar France Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet)18:30-19:30Plenary E Advancing the Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI) in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for the sustainable management of wetlandsBirdLife International, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Secretariat Asian Development Bank19:45-20:45Plenary C The hybrid link: https://birdlife.zoom.us/j/87951376150?pwd=R3ZyZHdiS0xmbWtHSElwWlV0Q0ovUT09 Action for People and Rice Paddies as a Sustainable Wetland EcosystemMinistry of the Environment, Japan (MOE-J), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF-J), and Ramsar Network Japan (RNJ), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) and Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea (ME-K)19:45-20:45Room 14 SIDE EVENT (09/11/22, WED)ORGANIZERSSLOT (CET)ROOM Ramsar CEPA for Wetland Conservation Mangrove Foundation(MCF)07:00-11:00Virtual Global Waterbird Flyways and Habitats Conservation ForumAcademy of Forestry Inventory and Planning/National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China; Beijing Forestry University; China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA); World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF); International Crane Foundation (ICF), China Wetlands Association; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research/Chinese Academy of Science; East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP); Paulson Institute; Wetlands International; SEE Foundation; Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF); Inner Mongolia Lao Niu Foundation07:00-10:30Virtual, On-site (Wuhan, China) Wetland Education in Formal Education : Application and PracticesMinistry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, Upo Ecology Education Institute (of Gyeongsangnamdo Office of Education), Gyeongsangnam-do Ramsar Environmental Foundation, Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Office of Education, Suncheon Bay Institute of Eco-Culture Education (of Jeollanamdo Office)13:15-14:15Plenary F Launch of the Indo-Burma Wetland Outlook: Key recommendations for strengthening collaboration through the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional InitiativeInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative Secretariat, Governments of: Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), WWT, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity18:30-19:30Plenary E Wetland Link International, Flyway CEPA approaches, and the WWT Wetland Centre Star AwardsWildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), Mangrove Foundation (MCF), RRC-EA, EAAFP, AEWA, Environment for the Americas (EftA)19:45-20:45Plenary C Selected key results of the RESSOURCE project: (1) Promoting waterlily cultivation in the Senegal delta; (2) supporting the designation of the 4th Sudanese Ramsar site and (3) developing a MOOC on African waterbirds and wetlandsFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (Sudan), Tour du Valat (Unité de Soutien Technique à l'initiative africaine de l'AEWA), Office Français de la Biodiversité, OMPO (Oiseaux Migrateurs du Palearctique Occidental), Fondation François Sommer19:45-20:45Plenary E Investing in National Wetlands Inventories: A key building block to meeting the Sustainable Development GoalsSecretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Aguaconsult and Sturt University, Barbados, Costa Rica, Myanmar, Norway, Uganda, Aguaconsult and Sturt University19:45-20:45Plenary F SIDE EVENT (10/11/22, THU)ORGANIZERSSLOT (CET)ROOM The Wetland City Accreditation : All You Need to KnowMinistry of Environment of the Republic of Korea (MOE-K), Local Governments for Sustainability Ramsar Regional Centre-East Asia(ICLEI)13:15-14:15Plenary F The Natural Flow of Water – Key to conservation and restoration of wetland biodiversityKorea Wetland NGO Network / Ramsar Network Japan, World Wetland Network(WWN), International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust(WWT), East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership(EAAFP)13:15-14:15Room 14 Learning from newly accredited Wetland CitiesRamsar Regional Center - East Asia, Ministry of Environment - Korea, Independent Advisory Committee for Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention, CLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability18:00-20:00Amphitheatre D Wetlands – crucial for national climate commitmentsWetlands International, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO), Greifswald Mire Center, The Ramsar Secretariat, GPI/UNEP18:30-19:30Plenary C Side Event on the Wetland City Accreditation and the Ramsar AwardMinistry of the Environment, Japan (MOE-J)19:45-20:45Plenary E SIDE EVENT (12/11/22, SAT)ORGANIZERSSLOT (CET)ROOM Collaboration to meet global goals on nature, climate and people - the importance of protecting and conserving Ramsar sitesInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), BirdLife International, International Water Management Institute, Wetlands International, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, WWF (the IOPs) and International Crane Foundation13:15-14:15Plenary F River cetaceans and Ramsar: building consensus on global conservation prioritiesWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF) International, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural affairs of the People’s Republic of China18:30-19:30Plenary E Lessons from multi country, multi stakeholder experiences on urban wetlands policy and regulatory initiativesWWF-India, EPCO State Wetland Authority, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, Ramsar Regional Center in the Western Hemisphere (CREHO), Coastal Solutions Fellowship/Cornell Lab of Ornithology & Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile18:30-19:30Room 3 Collective action models on urban wetland conservation and rehabilitationWWF-India, EPCO State Wetland Authority, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, Ramsar Regional Center in the Western Hemisphere (CREHO), Coastal Solutions Fellowship/Cornell Lab of Ornithology & Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile19:45-20:45Room 3 The Future of Wetlands - an Intergenerational DialogueYouth Engaged in Wetlands, East Asia-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), Wetlands International (WI), Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Secretariat (TBC), Mangrove Conservation19:45-20:45Plenary C For the entire schedule, please visit [here]. For social media promotion materials, please find them [here]. Please also visit the booths of EAAFP and our Partners at COP14 in Geneva: Mangrove Foundation China, Wetlands International Japan, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Ramsar Regional Center-East Asia, and China
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8th Wetland Link International – Asia Conference (Part 2) held in the Philippines
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Thailand is preparing to propose Bangpu Nature Education Center as Flyway Network Site
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COP26 outcome and policy briefing in Goyang City, Ro Korea
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Seocheon City celebrated Getbol World Heritage Inscription
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Development Workshop in Ro Korea on the proposed Wetland Education Ramsar Resolution
On 19th November, 2021, the “Wetland Education Resolution Development for Ramsar COP14 Workshop” was held in Gyeonsangnamdo…
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What COP26 brought to EAAFP
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Incheon Green Korea 28th Anniversary Ceremony
On the 30th of October, the EAAFP Secretariat attended the Incheon Green Korea 28th Anniversary Celebration event held in Yeongjong Seaside Park. The event was held in…
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The Philippines filed “National Wetlands Conservation Act’ on 2021 World Wetlands Day
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