CONVENTION ON WETLANDS (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
19th Meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee
Gland, Switzerland, 29 October - 1 November 1996

Summary of Decisions taken at the19 Meeting of the Standing CommitteethConvention finances•Decision 19.1: The Subgroup on Finance’s report on the 1996 projected budget, which shows
projected income of Swiss francs 2,418,458, and projected expenditure of SFR 2,413,040, for abalance of income over expenditure of Sfr 5,418, was accepted by consensus.

Ramsar Small Grants Fund project proposals:•Decision 19.2: The 15 proposed projects in Groups 1 and 2, proposed by Algeria, Argentina,Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Kenya, Mali, Pakistan, Philippines,Suriname, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uzbekistan, totalling SFR 502,150, were approvedfor funding. The Bureau will follow up on the six Group 2 proposals requiring furtherrefinement before disbursement of funds. Twelve proposals were not recommended forapproval because of problems with the project design or other factors. A balance ofapproximately SFR 382,000 will be carried over for next year’s project proposals.

Operational Guidelines for administration of the Ramsar Small Grants Fund•

Decisions 19.3 and 19.4: The Committee approved new Operational Guidelines for the SmallGrants Fund, in which the primary focus for suitability for approval is upon proposals which
help to implement the Operational Objectives of the Strategic Plan 1997-2002.

•Decision 19.5: The Subgroup on Finance was designated to work with the Secretary Generalon fundraising for the Small Grants Fund.

1997 Bureau Business Plan and Budget•

Decisions 19.6 and 19.21: The Bureau was instructed to complete allocations of time and staff
responsibilities for the revised Bureau work plan for 1997, which has been rearranged in aneasier-to-read table form, and submit the plan to the Chair of the Standing Committee forapproval on behalf of the Committee.

•Decision 19.7: The proposed 1997 Budget, which was amended to include SFR 70,000 for theReserve Fund, and which now shows a projected income of SFR 2,940,988, projected
expenditures of SFR 2,857,839, and a projected balance of income over expenditure of SFR
83,149, was approved by consensus.

•Decision 19.8: “Acknowledging the extensive and successful efforts made by the Bureau, andin particular the Secretary General, for bringing the Ramsar budget to a position of a surplus
balance, the Standing Committee at its 19th Meeting expressed its appreciation to theSecretary General and his colleagues in the Ramsar Bureau.”

Communications activities
The Conservatoire du Littoral (France) submitted a proposal for the creation of an outposted Ramsar
Convention communications and training programme in a building owned by the Conservatoire in Evian,France, in which it is envisaged that, after alterations to the facilities funded by Evian and the Conservatoire,the Convention’s communications and publications budget of approximately SFR 300,000 would be matchedby private donations, thus increasing the Convention’s capacities in these fields.
•Decisions 19.9 and 19.27: The Conservatoire du Littoral (France) was invited to continue thedevelopment of its feasibility study for the Evian initiative, and to report to the next Standing
Committee meeting.

World Wetland Week•

Decision 19.10: It was agreed that 2 February should be recognized as World Wetland Day.
Contracting Parties may have week-long celebrations if they wish, but each CP is urged tocelebrate 2 February as World Wetland Day, effective from 1997. The Bureau, time andresources permitting, should work towards designation of 2 February as World Wetland Day
by the United Nations. The awareness materials for the above celebration should address
the benefits of wetlands for the human population. Wetlands International’s Specialist Groupon Education and Public Awareness will take the lead (in consultation with other partners),by the end of November 1996, in advising the Bureau on potential activities that could beundertaken on 2 February 1997, and the Bureau will in turn advise the Parties. Further, inline with Resolution VI.19, Wetlands International’s Specialist Group on EPA will prepare abroader paper on Education/Public Awareness needs for enhancing wetland conservation for
the next Standing Committee meeting. A study group composed of Costa Rica, Indonesia,Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Wetlands International was formed to report back to theStanding Committee.

Personnel and administrative matters•Decision 19.11: The Standing Committee agreed to the creation of an additional technicalpost for the Bureau to be funded fully through voluntary contributions from the Contracting
Parties in Europe for the purpose of assisting the Bureau in meeting its increasedcommitments, especially in programme management and resource development, in supportof the implementation of the Convention. This position will also enable the Bureau to work
actively with major institutions in Europe.

The USA offered a complementary proposal to the effect that an internship programme be initiated withthe dual purpose of providing support for the Technical Officers and providing training opportunities forstudents from the regions, and offered to contribute funding support to this programme. The USA
committed funds for an intern to assist the Neotropics’ Technical Officer and a further contribution foranother intern for other regions.
Senior Policy Advisor Michael Smart informed the Standing Committee that he would be leaving the Bureau
sometime during 1997 in order to pursue more field-based work. The following statement was adopted by
the Standing Committee:•Decision 19.12: The Standing Committee pays tribute to the commitment and dedication ofMike Smart throughout his long service to the Ramsar Convention. The Committee
expresses its thanks and high esteem for his invaluable help and effort in the recognition ofwetland values, in the development of the Convention’s mechanisms, and in theenhancement of wetland conservation and wise use. The Committee wishes success andgood health to Mr Smart in his future activities and urges the Bureau to find ways and means
to involve him in the Convention’s ongoing work.

•Decision 19.13: The renewal of the contract for Mr Delmar Blasco as Secretary General of theRamsar Convention for the period 1 August 1997 to 31 July 2000 has been recommended forapproval by the IUCN Director General.

STRP Report and Work Plan
•Decision 19.14: The draft work plan of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel wasapproved, covering the areas of 1) toxic chemicals, 2) economic evaluation, 3) restoration andrehabilitation of wetlands, 4) education and public awareness, 5) ecological character, 6) the Montreux
Record and the Management Guidance Procedure, 7) management planning, 8) the Ramsar Database,19th Standing Committee, Summary, page 29) global review of wetland resources, 10) criteria for identification of wetlands of international
importance, 11) the relationship between the STRP and the subsidiary scientific bodies of otherinstitutions, and 12) the Small Grants Fund.
Review of conservation and wise use issues
Wetlands International (M. Moser) made a presentation on key activities carried out for the Convention
by Wetlands International and sought the Committee’s direction on several points.
•Decision 19.15: There should be no “telephone book” hard-copy publication of the traditional
Directory of Wetlands of International Importance for the next COP, but the Directory data
will be made available on diskette. The Overview of the World’s Wetland Sites , however,should be updated for the next COP. Ramsar Information Sheets should be circulated in
mid-1997 for updating the data in existing Ramsar sites with a one-year timetable.

Notification of change in ecological character
The Bureau sought guidance on how to improve implementation of article 3.2 of the Convention on
notification of change in ecological character of sites and Resolution VI.17 on individual sites.
•Decision 19.16: The Bureau should contact Contracting Parties and follow up on steps taken
to address problems of change in the ecological character of sites, and should urge further
necessary action and offer its assistance.

The Management Guidance Procedure•Decision 19.17: The Standing Committee decided that the Bureau should take a proactive
approach in the use of the Management Guidance Procedure.

Signage at Ramsar sites•Decision 19.18: The Contracting Parties should endeavor to place descriptive signs at allRamsar sites, and these signs should include the Ramsar logo, as well as the following
suggested text as amended to meet particular circumstances:
THIS SITE, COVERING XXX HECTARES, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY
THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIST OF
WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE ESTABLISHEDUNDER THE CONVENTION ON WETLANDS, THE INTERNATIONAL
TREATY SIGNED IN RAMSAR (IRAN) IN 1971 TO PROMOTE THE
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF WETLAND AREAS
WORLDWIDE.
The protection and management of this site is under the responsibility of:(name and address, including telephone and fax numbers, of theappropriate agency)
Variation for countries with a federal system: ON THE PROPOSAL OF (NAME
OF THE STATE/ PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT), THIS SITE, COVERINGXXX HECTARES, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT ….
Establishment of a Mediterrean Wetlands Committee•Decisions 19.19: The Standing Committee endorsed the statement on the Bureau’s
association with the proposed Mediterrean Wetlands Committee, as shown in the box below.
Proposal for a
MEDITERRANEAN WETLANDS COMMITTEE(under the aegis of the Ramsar Convention Bureau)
Character
Advisory/Consultative, but action-oriented

19th Standing Committee, Summary, page 3

Non-exclusive, open to Governments, NGOs, the private sector
and technical/scientific institutes
Endorsed by Ramsar Standing Committee
Operate through flexible project groups, established as the needarises
Criteria should be established to ensure a practical and pragmatic approach toCommittee membership (number and representation) and frequency of meetings.
Objective and Functions
To provide guidance to all interested parties, and in particular to the Ramsar Bureau
and the MedWet Coordinator and Secretariat, on practical measures and actions for
implementation of the Mediterranean Wetlands Strategy, by:proposing international actions on Mediterranean wetland issues;
providing endorsement and support, as requested, for national
wetland initiatives;promoting increased financial support for the conservation andsustainable use of Mediterranean wetlands.
Bureau membership in the World Water Council and Global Water Partnership•Decision 19.20: There was not enough support for Bureau membership in the World Water
Council and Global Water Partnership, and the Bureau is urged to pursue some different
kind of relationship besides membership and report to the next meeting of the Standing
Committee on further talks with these groups.

Application from Friends of the Earth International for Ramsar partner status
Friends of the Earth International requested the status of partner organization to the Convention.
•Decision 19.22: The Bureau should inquire further into FOE’s request and obtain more
information about FOE itself for the Committee’s examination at its next meeting. It should
also investigate other potential partners and bring a list of such possibilities to the next
meeting for consideration.

Follow-up on Conference Resolutions
The Rio+5 process•Decision 19.23: The Bureau is requested to contact the Administrative Authorities andformally ask them to approach their governments’ authorities dealing with the evaluation of
the implementation of Agenda 21 and other decisions of the UN Conference on Environmentand Development (Rio, 1992), and call attention to Ramsar achievements, encouraging themto make the Convention’s voice heard, particularly in view of the special session of the United
Nations General Assembly to be devoted to this issue (June 1997).

Compilation of Conference decisions•Decision 19.24: The Bureau should begin work on a compendium or compilation of alldecisions taken at the six meetings of the Conference of the Parties held so far, organized by
the themes of the Strategic Plan.

Wetland Conservation Award
The Secretary General invited clarification on the nature of the Wetland Conservation Award and its termsof reference. Canada offered to draft ideas for circulation soon and devise general recommendations fornational Ramsar awards as well.
•Decision 19.25: Terms of reference for the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award will be
prepared for consideration by the Standing Committee at its 1997 meeting.

19th Standing Committee, Summary, page 4

Study of Convention cost-cutting and possible relocation of the Bureau•

Decision 19.26: The Standing Committee decided to establish a Subgroup to address theissue of a possible relocation of the Ramsar Bureau, composed of Canada, Malaysia, NewZealand if agreeable, Panama, Switzerland and IUCN, to work by correspondence and studythe question as outlined in Canada’s proposed process and report to the next Standing
Committee meeting.

The Subgroup on Possible Relocation should focus on the terms of reference proposed by Canada:
1. Examine all relevant advice from IUCN, CPs, the Swiss government, the Bureau
2. Analyze the economic/budget benefits and disadvantages
3. Document staff and programme benefits and disadvantages
4. Identify political and legal implications
5. Address IUCN’s suggestions regarding limitation to locations with existing IUCN
presence
6. Study the processes by which Wetlands International and Desertification relocatedand CBD and Climate Change chose locations
7. Seek independent advice to craft recommendations for the SC
8. Make recommendations about the process for carry the matter forward, ifappropriate
The Standing Committee was invited to follow a two-step process proposed by Iran. Step 1: the Subgroup on
Relocation would study whether the Bureau should relocate, as no one seems so far to be convinced that thiswould be a good idea. Step 2: If yes, the Bureau should develop criteria for selection of a new location to beconsidered by the Standing Committee at its 20th or 21st meetings.
Comments on OECD Guidelines•

Decisions 19.28: The Contracting Parties should be asked to forward their comments to theBureau by 30 April 1997 concerning the OECD Guidelines for aid agencies for improved
conservation and sustainable use of tropical and subtropical wetlands.

7th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties•

Decision 19.30: The 7th COP will take place in May 1999; it’s agreed to leave the exact dates toCosta Rica and the Bureau to determine. The length of the COP should be the same as atBrisbane: eight working days over nine. A Subgroup on COP Preparations was established toassist Costa Rica, consisting of Costa Rica, Australia, Iran, the Netherlands (if agreeable),Senegal, and the USA.

•Decision 19.31: The general theme for the 7th COP should be centered around the concept of“Wetlands and People”, including local community empowerment, training, education andpublic awareness themes. The Subgroup on the COP will refine this theme by January andcirculate proposals to the SC members for adoption, so that promotional activities can get
underway.

Next Meeting of the Standing Committee•

Decision 19.32: The 20th Standing Committee meeting should be held in Gland, Switzerland,
during the week of 29 September to 2 October, with the first day reserved for the meetings ofthe Subgroup on Finance and any other subgroups as appropriate.

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