Ramsar COP11 _ AEWA Highlights

Bonn, 1 October 2012 - At the Ramsar COP11, the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat used the opportunity to present both the new CMS Family Online Reporting System (ORS) as well as to sign a new Resolution of Cooperation with the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF).

Recently Launched Online Reporting System Presented at COP11 Side Event

The 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention (Ramsar COP11) held in Bucharest, Romania in July 2012 provided an excellent opportunity for the UNEP/AEWA and UNEP/CMS Secretariats to present the new CMS Family Online Reporting System (ORS) to a broader audience of conservation practitioners involved in the reporting processes of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).

A joint side event entitled “Enhancing synergies among MEAs: The CMS Family Online Reporting System (ORS) –Development, Experiences and the Potential for the Ramsar Convention and other MEAs”; show-cased the ORS to close to 50 participants.

The side event, which was organised by the UNEP/CMS and UNEP/AEWA Secretariats in collaboration with UNEP-WCMC marked an important step on the long journey towards enhancing synergies and harmonisation in national reporting among biodiversity-related MEAs. The CMS Family ORS was developed by UNEP-WCMC in close collaboration and under the guidance of the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat as a reporting tool which can be used by several MEAs. As such, the ORS potentially provides the technological platform to further streamline national reporting amongst MEAs and could also provide a strong basis for harmonising reporting processes of a number of international treaties.

AEWA and CAFF Sign Resolution on Cooperation at RAMSAR COP11

In the margins of the side event “Synergies and cooperation: options for the biodiversity-related agreements" organised by UNEP, UNEP-WCMC and the Ministry of Environment of Finland, a Resolution on Cooperation between the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat and the Secretariat of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) was signed. The Resolution provides the institutional framework for the future joint work of both Secretariats on the conservation of waterbirds and their habitats in the Arctic.

In the face of increasing threats to Arctic biodiversity, cooperation with regard to understanding biodiversity changes within this fragile and unique ecosystem is extremely important. The Resolution of Cooperation between AEWA and CAFF will contribute to building and sharing knowledge, creating awareness and enhancing capacity. It will also strengthen international cooperation and build capacity regarding the conservation of migratory waterbird species along the African-Eurasian flyways.

COP11 took place at the Palace of Parliament in Romania, Bucharest from 6-13 July under the theme “Wetlands – home and destination”; and was attended by representatives of Contracting Parties and observers from countries and relevant organisations gathering to assess the progress of the Convention and the sustainable use of wetlands to date.