Ramsar logoThe Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Ramsar COP8 DOC.1: Provisional agenda and programme of COP8

[français] [español] [Japanese]


"Wetlands: water, life, and culture"
8th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
Valencia, Spain, 18-26 November 2002

Ramsar COP8 DOC. 1

Agenda item III: Adoption of the agenda

Provisional Agenda

I Opening of the Meeting

II General statements

III Adoption of the Agenda

IV Adoption of the Rules of Procedure

V Election of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons, and remarks by the Chairperson

VI Appointment of the Credentials Committee and any other committees

VII Admission of Observers

VIII Report of the Chairperson of the Convention Standing Committee

IX Report of the Secretary General and overview of the implementation of the Convention at the global level, based on the National Reports submitted by Contracting Parties

X Issues arising from Resolutions and Recommendations of previous meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

XI The Convention Strategic Plan 2003-2008

XII The Convention’s Work Plan 2003-2005

XIII Financial report and proposed budget for the triennium 2003-2005

XIV Consideration of the proposals for Resolutions and Recommendations submitted by Contracting Parties and the Standing Committee

XV Report of the Credentials Committee

XVI Reports and recommendations of the Technical Sessions

XVII Appointment of the members of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel

XVIII Adoption of Resolutions and Recommendations

XIX Election of Contracting Parties that will serve on the Standing Committee

XX Date and venue of the next Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

XXI Any other business

XXII Adoption of the report of the 8th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

XXIII Close of the meeting

Technical Sessions:

1. Wetlands: major challenges and emerging opportunities in the new century

2. Wetland inventory and assessment

3. Practical steps for applying the Vision for the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

4. Managing wetlands for sustainable use: lessons learned and new perspectives

5. Cultural aspects of wetlands as a tool for their conservation and sustainable use


Ramsar COP8

Provisional Annotated Agenda and Programme

Sunday, 17 November 2002

09.00 - 17.00 Meeting of the Standing Committee (from now on the Conference Committee)

09.00 - 18.00 Registration of participants

Evening Free for informal consultations


DAY ONE – Monday, 18 November 2002

08.00 - 18.00 Registration (continued)

10.00 - 13.00 Plenary Session

I / II Opening of the Meeting

The Conference will be opened by high level representatives of the Kingdom of Spain and its Government and the Chairperson of the Conference Committee, followed by general statements by the Secretary General and invited guests. The opening ceremony will include the presentation of the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards 2002.

Break –

Brief introduction to the Conference procedures and logistics

III Adoption of the Agenda

The Conference will consider document Ramsar COP8 DOC. 1: Provisional Agenda and Programme, and adopt the Agenda and Programme for this meeting.

IV Adoption of the Rules of Procedure

The Conference will consider document Ramsar COP8 DOC. 2: Rules of Procedure and will adopt the Rules for the 8th Meeting. Note: The Rules have been adopted by Ramsar COP7 and no changes have been proposed, but procedurally Article 6.4 of the Convention provides that the COP "shall adopt rules of procedure for each of its meetings".

V Election of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons

Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure, the Conference will elect the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons for the meeting on the basis of proposals made by the Conference Committee.

Remarks by the Chairperson

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 18.30 Plenary Session

VI Appointment of the Credentials Committee and any other committees

Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure, the Conference will appoint a Credentials Committee on the basis of proposals made by the Conference Committee, and may establish any other committees necessary to enable the Conference to carry out its functions. The COP may establish a Committee on the Strategic Plan 2003-2008 and the Work Plan 2003-2005; a Committee on Finances and Budget; and a Committee on content and duration of future Ordinary Meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties.

VII Admission of Observers

Provisions have always been made for the participation in the Meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties of international agencies or bodies, and national governmental and non-governmental agencies or bodies, provided the Parties present do not decide otherwise (a COP document with the list of registered observers will be tabled at the meeting).

VIII Report of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee

a) The Chairperson of the Standing Committee will introduce his report, highlighting the activities of the Standing Committee during the past triennium, with recommendations, if necessary, for the future work of the Committee.

b) The Chairperson of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) will introduce his report on the activities of the Panel over the past triennium, with recommendations for the future work of the Panel.

Key issues in the work of the Convention: a special intervention by an invited speaker.

IX Report of the Secretary General

The Secretary General will present a report on the implementation of the Convention’s Work Plan 2000-2002 and a general overview of the implementation of the Convention, based upon the National Reports submitted by Contracting Parties. General discussion.

19.30 - 22.30 Welcoming function hosted by the Government of Spain


DAY 2 – Tuesday, 19 November 2002

08.00 - 09.00 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.30 - 13.00 Plenary Session

X Issues arising from Resolutions and Recommendations of previous meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties:

a) Interpretation of Articles 2.5 and 4.2 of the Convention

OTHER ISSUES TO BE IDENTIFIED

Special presentation on wetland conservation and sustainable use in Spain

XI The Convention’s Strategic Plan 2003-2008. Introduction and first general discussion.

XII The Convention’s Work Plan 2003-2005. Introduction and first general discussion.

Key issues in the work of the Convention: a special intervention by an invited speaker.

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 18.00 Plenary Session

XIII Financial report by the Chairperson of the Subgroup on Finance of the Standing Committee and proposed budget for the triennium 2003-2005. General discussion.

Key issues in the work of the Convention: a special intervention by an invited speaker.

XIV Consideration of the proposals for resolutions and recommendations submitted by Contracting Parties and the Standing Committee

A COP document will contain the proposals approved by the Standing Committee at its 26th Meeting (3-7 December 2001) for consideration by Ramsar COP8, as well as the proposals submitted by Contracting Parties at least 60 days before the opening of Ramsar COP8 (by 19 September 2002). In this Plenary Session there will be a first discussion of the proposals, in order to receive suggestions for amendments and to allow the search for consensus to begin before the final drafts of the decisions come up for approval on the last day of the Conference. (Note: Contracting Parties shall be able to submit new proposals during the meeting to the Conference Committee, provided that those new proposals deal with: a) urgent issues resulting from the debates during the meeting; and/or b) new developments that it was not possible to foresee in advance.)

19.00 – 21.00 Meetings of the Committee on the Strategic Plan and Work Plan, the Committee on Finances and Budget, and the Committee on content and duration of future Ramsar COPs (if they have been established)


DAY 3 – Wednesday, 20 November 2002

08.00 - 09.00 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.30 – 12.30 Regional Meetings to review further the implementation of the Convention in each region, the proposals submitted to the Conference, and the subjects for discussion at Technical Sessions (A separate agenda will be prepared for each one of the six Ramsar Regions, according to requirements.)

12.30 - 15.00 Lunch break

13.30 - 15.00 If required, Meetings of the Committee on the Strategic Plan and Work Plan, the Committee on Finances and Budget, and the Committee on content and duration of future Ramsar COPs (if they have been established)

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

The Technical Sessions during Ramsar COPs are an integral part of the programme of the Conference, but, unlike the Plenary Sessions, they do not constitute a formal sitting of the Conference in the sense that all participants, delegates of Contracting Parties and observers, participate in the discussions on an equal basis. The Technical Sessions, as the title indicates, are intended to deal with issues of great significance to the Convention from a technical perspective. The Technical Sessions discuss proposals for Resolutions and Recommendations concerning the theme under debate and may propose amendments that are then considered by the Plenary and may be adopted as part of the Conference decisions.

15.00 - 19.00 Technical Session 1: Wetlands: major challenges and emerging opportunities in the new century

1.1 Wetlands and management of surface and ground water, including water allocations: Ramsar and the water management agencies

1.2 Opportunities and limitations for synergy with other Conventions and institutions in the areas of biodiversity, desertification, climate change, migratory species, and protected areas

15.00 - 16.30 Panel presentations by invited experts in the plenary hall

17.00 - 19.00 Discussion of the themes of this Technical Session and review of the proposals concerning each topic. This discussion will take place in four regionally-based groups (Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe), but all groups will be open to any participant who wants to participate in them.


DAY 4 – Thursday, 21 November 2002

08.00 - 08.45 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.00 - 13.00 Technical Session 2: Wetland inventory and assessment

2.1 A "Ramsar System for Wetland Inventory"

2.2 Impact assessment: the results and potential of collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Association of Impact Assessment

2.3 Tools for rapid assessment of wetland functions and biodiversity for decision makers

09.00 - 10.30 Panel presentations by invited experts in the plenary hall.

11.00 - 13.00 Discussion of the themes of this Technical Session and review of the proposals concerning each topic. This discussion will take place in four regionally-based groups (Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe), but all groups will be open to any participant who wants to participate in them.

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 19.00 Technical Session 3: Practical steps for applying the Vision for the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

3.1 Lessons learnt in the implementation of the of the Strategic Framework for the Ramsar List (Resolution VII.11)

3.2 Additional guidance for inclusion in the Ramsar List of mangroves, peatlands, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and soft bottom communities

3.3 The Global Action Plan for Peatlands: from planning to action

3.4 Making Ramsar sites information accessible: the Ramsar Sites Database and Ramsar Data Gateway

15.00 - 16.30 Panel presentations by invited experts in the plenary hall.

17.00 - 19.00 Discussion of the theme of this Technical Session and review of the proposals concerning the topic. This discussion will take place in four regionally-based groups (Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe), but all groups will be open to any participant who wants to participate in them.

20.30 - 22.00 Regional meetings to agree on recommendations to the Plenary Session on Contracting Parties to be elected to serve on the Standing Committee


DAY 5 – Friday, 22 November 2002

08.00 - 08.45 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.00 - 13.00 Technical Session 4: Managing wetlands for sustainable use: lessons learned and new perspectives

4.1 Case studies and guidelines for integrated coastal zone management: the state of the art

4.2 Case studies and further guidance on management planning and implementation

4.3 The Report of the World Commission on Dams and its relevance for the Ramsar Convention

4.4 Case studies and guidelines on incentive for wetlands conservation and wise use

4.5 Case studies and guidelines on invasive species in wetlands

09.00 - 10.30 Panel presentations by invited experts in the plenary hall.

11.00 - 13.00 Discussion of the themes of this Technical Session and review of the proposals concerning each topic. This discussion will take place in four regionally-based groups (Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe), but all groups will be open to any participant who wants to participate in them.

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 19.00 Technical Session 5: Cultural aspects of wetlands as a tool for their conservation and sustainable use

5.1 Guiding principles on the cultural aspects of wetlands: examples from around the world

5.2 Guidelines for incorporating the cultural dimensions in economic valuations and wetland assessment in general

5.3 Incorporating the social sciences and the arts in public awareness and education campaigns concerning wetlands

15.00 - 16.30 Panel presentations by invited experts in the plenary hall.

17.00 - 19.00 Discussion of the themes of this Technical Session and review of the proposals concerning each topic. This discussion will take place in four regionally-based groups (Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, and Europe), but all groups will be open to any participant who wants to participate in them.


DAY 6 – Saturday, 23 November 2002

08.00 - 09.00 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.30 - 13.00 Plenary Session

XV Report of the Credentials Committee (a Ramsar COP8 document will be tabled at the meeting).

As on past occasions, the Credentials Committee will require that the credentials of the delegates of Contracting Parties be presented in English, French or Spanish, on the appropriate letterhead, and be signed by the Head of State or Government and/or the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or by an official legally empowered by the State concerned to accredit representatives at international meetings.

Key issues in the work of the Convention: a special intervention by an invited speaker.

XI, XII, XIII Report on the discussions in the Committee on the Strategic Plan and Work Plan, in the Committee on Finances and Budget, and the Committee on content and duration of future Ramsar COPs (if they have been established). Discussion and consensus building.

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 18.00 Plenary Session

XVI Reports and recommendations of the Technical Sessions

The rapporteurs of the four regionally-based discussion groups will have prepared a brief consolidated report on the conclusions regarding each one of the topics discussed in the five Technical Sessions. This will be the opportunity to address any major divergenceS that may have arisen, with a view to build consensus for the preparation of the final draft of the Resolutions and Recommendations to be adopted by Ramsar COP8.


DAY 7 – Sunday, 24 November 2002

FREE FOR EXCURSIONS, ALLOWING THE SECRETARIAT TO PREPARE THE FINAL VERSIONS OF THE PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED AND ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE


DAY 8 – Monday, 25 November 2002

08.00 - 09.00 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.30 - 13.00 Plenary Session

XVII Appointment of the members of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP).

A document will contain the proposal of the Standing Committee for the appointment of technical experts and scientists who will serve in their personal capacity in the STRP during the period between the close of COP8 and the close of COP9. The Standing Committee will prepare its proposal on the basis of the candidates advanced by the Contracting Parties by the deadline of 28 February 2002.

XVIII Adoption of Conference Resolutions and Recommendations

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 19.00 Plenary Session

XVIII Adoption of Conference Resolutions and Recommendations (continued)

Evening Farewell party


DAY 9 – Tuesday, 26 November 2002

08.00 - 09.00 Meeting of the Conference Committee

09.30 - 13.00 Plenary Session

XVIII Adoption of Conference Resolutions and Recommendations (continued)

13.00 - 15.00 Lunch break

15.00 - 17.00 Plenary Session

XIX Election of the Contracting Parties that will serve on the Standing Committee.

On the basis of the proposals presented by the six Ramsar Regions, the Conference will elect the countries that will serve on the Standing Committee from the close of the 8th Meeting of the COP until the close of the 9th Meeting. (The new Standing Committee will meet immediately after the close of Ramsar COP8 and, on the basis of the Rules of Procedure, will designate the countries that will act as Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee, as well as the countries that will serve on its Subgroup on Finance and any other subgroup that may have been established.)

XX Date and venue of the next Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties.

The Conference will take a decision on the timing and venue of the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties that in principle should be held in 2005, on the basis of invitations received from Contracting Parties to host the meeting.

XXI Any other business

XXII Adoption of the report of the 8th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

XXIII Close of the meeting

The closing ceremony will include brief interventions by the regional groups, the Secretary General, the representatives of NGOs and possibly of other sectors, and by a representative of the Government of Spain, who will formally close the Conference.


For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ramsar@ramsar.org). PostedÊ4 December 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.

home pagetop of page