18-26  Nov. 2002

The Eighth Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Versión en Español

Date  | Photos & Audio HTM PDF TXT SUMMARY     Mon 25     Sat 23       Fri 22     Thu 21     Wed 20     Tue 19     Mon 18     Sun 17
FRIDAY, 22 NOV. 2002 Delegates met in Technical Sessions on wetlands management and on cultural aspects of wetlands as a tool for conservation and sustainable use. Committees on Finance and the Strategic Plan and Work Plan convened, and contact groups met to continue discussions on agriculture, climate change and the San José Record.   Natalya Kasymova (Uzbekistan) Technical Session 4 Chair Panel Presenters: -Chaman Lal Trisal, Wetlands International -Marie-Odile Guth, Director of Nature Conservation, France -George Zalidis, STRP Greece -Listen to Jack Rieley International Peat Society -Listen to Geoffrey Howard, IUCN MORNING The technical session on managing wetlands for sustainable use and human well-being began with panel presentations by invited experts, and continued with discussions on related draft resolutions in four regionally-based groups. The session was chaired by Natalya Kasymova (Uzbekistan). (right) Nick Davidson, Ramsar Deputy secretary General
Marie-Odile Guth George Zalidis Jack Rieley Geoffrey Howard Clay Rubec, Chair Marie-José Viñals Thymio Papayannis Nick Davidson, Ramsar Deputy secretary General Edith Wenger, WWF AFTERNOON The Technical Session on cultural aspects of wetlands as a tool for their conservation and sustainble use began with panel presentations by invited experts, and continued with regionally-based discussions. The Session was chaired by Clayton Rubec, Environment Canada. Panel Presentations: -Listen to Maria José Viñals TSEHUMED-Universidad de Valencia, deliver an audio-visual presentation outlining different perspectives on the cultural heritage of wetlands. -Listen to Thymio Papayannis Special Advisor to the Ramsar Secretary General, present an information paper and the draft resolution on guiding principles on the cultural aspects of wetlands, stressing that the resolution is a source of ideas and advice rather than constraint. Many Delegates endorsed the resolution. Spain and Denmark (on behalf of the EU) highlighted the value of hunting. NGO's called for recognition of indigenous peoples' cultural rights. UNESCO welcomed its joint activities with Ramsar to improve the conservation of cultural and biological diversity, and promote a bio-cultural approach to sustainable development. Deputy Secretary General Davidson reminded delegates that the Ramsar Convention affirms the cultural value of wetlands in its preamble. Adrian Olivier, European Archaeological Council Veit Koester, EU Onel Masardule, Pueblo Kuna
Regional Groups busy at work: Africa (below) Asia (Right)
The Delegation from Iran: Dr. Mohammad Mahdavi (3rd from left) attended the first Ramsar convention (in Ramsar) in 1971. Anoushirvan Najafi (2nd from right) heads the delegation. WWF's response to Germany refusing to supporting Ramsar's budget increase
Links to further information: *ENB Summaries of COP-7 http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/vol17/ *ENB Linkages site of COP-7 (photos and audio) http://www.iisd.ca/ramsar/cop7/ *RAMSAR COP 8 Homepage: http://www.ramsar.org/index_cop8.htm

Any irregularities on this page? Please mail the Digital Editor

| Back to Linkages home | Visit IISDnet | Send e-mail to ENB |
© 2002, IISD. All rights reserved.