1. 1 The Ramsar Convention Margarita Astrálaga Senior Advisor Ramsar Secretariat www.ramsar.org Providenciales, 17-19 November 2003

2. 2 Present status Covers very wide range of wetlands - from coral reefs to mountains 138 Contracting Parties (24 in Neotropics) 1317 Ramsar sites

3. 3 What is the “wise use” of wetlands? “… their sustainable utilization for the benefit of humankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem” (Ramsar COP3, 1987)

4. 4 Integrated coastal management & policies Ramsar’s COP 8 – Nov. 2002, Valencia, Spain Resolution VIII.4 Principles and guidelines for incorporating wetland issues into Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Support projects in all regions to test guidelines National Policies: Bahamas, Guatemala and Iran

5. 5 Regional and Sub-regional policies Resolution VIII.43 A sub-regional strategy of the Ramsar Convention for South America Sub-regional strategy on mangrove conservation Res. VIII.32 – Central America, Colombia & Ecuador NEPAD WW2BW Central American Policy Los Olivitos Ramsar site - Venezuela

6. 6 New Ramsar sites Africa: 19 + 38 in progress Americas: 13 + 20 in progress Asia & the Pacific: 10 Europe: 13 + 19 in progress Mauritania

7. 7 What is missing from the Ramsar site network? Under-represented types No. sites Karst & caves3 Coral reefs39 Seasonal pools14 Subtidal marine beds17 Forested peatlands25 Intertidal forests (e.g. mangroves) 42

8. 8 Implementing WSSD –Joint work with CBD, EIA Association & Ramsar (Res. VIII.9 ) –Support to national inventories of wetlands Res. VIII.6 –Res. VIII.11 Guidance for identifying and designating Wetlands of International Importance: corals & mangroves –Res. VIII.16 Principles and guidelines for wetland restoration Prespa Lakes Ramsar site, Greece

9. 9 The Ramsar List – application of Criteria

10. 10 Thank you Los Roques Ramsar site, Venezuela