The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) will take place in a hybrid format in Wuhan, China, at East Lake International Conference Center (ELICC), and in Geneva, Switzerland, at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).
Wetlands International South Asia, in collaboration with Ramsar Regional Center East Asia (RRCEA) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI), are organising a side event on ‘Regional Collaboration for Wetlands Wise Use in South Asia’ at COP14. The side event is scheduled on November 8, 2022, from 1830 hrs onwards in Plenary Hall F of the International Conference Centre Geneva.
About the session
Sustainable development of South Asia is closely linked to the health of the region’s wetlands. These ecosystems are cradles of several of the region’s civilizations and play an important role in ensuring water, food, and climate security; supporting livelihoods and cultural identities, and securing habitats for a range of biodiversity. However, complex development dynamics, coupled with limited awareness of the contribution wetlands make to societal well-being, have led to severe pressure on wetlands.
The Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention within the region have committed to the wise use of wetlands and a suite of guidelines has been adopted for the purpose. However, the continued degradation of wetlands in the region indicates challenges in the application of available guidance, as well as the need to tailor implementation approaches considering specific regional contexts. Regional homogeneities in the wetlands regimes, their influencing drivers and pressures, policy environment, and capacities indicate possibilities of benefitting from regional collaboration and exchange while seeking wetlands wise use outcomes.
Through plenary presentations and panel discussions, this side-event will seek to identify priorities that need to be addressed at the regional level to create an enabling environment for the wise use of wetlands in South Asia, as well as the mechanisms for enhancing learning, experience sharing and technology exchange within the region. The discussion around the establishment of a “South Asia platform” for wetland managers, initiated at Ramsar CoP 13 will be re-visited.
Schedule
Towards South Asia Platform- Overview of progress since COP13
Dr Sidharth Kaul, President, Wetlands International South Asia
Statements from Ramsar Focal Points on:
- Major policies and programmes for wetlands wise use
- Key achievements
- Major challenges in wetlands restoration and integrated management
Ramsar Focal Points
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Panel Discussion
- Ways in which effectiveness of Ramsar Convention wise use approach can be enhanced
- Key opportunities for learning from within the region
IWMI, RRCEA, IUCN-ARO
Questions from the floor and Session Summary
Dr Ritesh Kumar, Director, Wetlands International South Asia
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