Press Release
November 15, 2022
- Nature & Parks
Outline of the Results of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP14) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
1. The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the "Ramsar Convention") was held in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland, from November 5 to November 13, 2022.
2. At this Meeting, the Secretariat reported the progress of the implementation of the Convention, and a total of 21 resolutions, including the review of the Fourth Strategic Plan, were adopted.
3. During the Meeting, Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture were awarded under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention and the ceremony was held. In addition, the award ceremony for Mr. KURECHI Masayuki (Board Member, Ramsar Network Japan, and President, Japanese Association for Wild Geese Protection) who received the Ramsar Convention Award for Wetland Wise Use, was also conducted.
Outline of the Results of COP14
The outline of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the "Ramsar Convention") is as follows:
On the second day, a High-Level Ministerial Segment was convened by the COP14 host country, the government of the Republic of China. The Wuhan Declaration, a document led by China under its presidency, was issued. It should be noted that the Declaration was not a negotiated document of the Conference of the Parties.
- Dates and meeting styles
From November 5 to November 13, 2022
In-person negotiation in Geneva, Switzerland, and online meeting (only for the opening session and a High-Level Ministerial Segment) in Wuhan, China
- Venues
East Lake International Conference Center, Wuhan, China
Centre International de Conferences Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Participants
172 Contracting Parties and Observers to the Convention
From Japan, the government delegation consisted of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Observers from relevant local governments and NGOs, etc. also participated.
- Theme
"Wetlands Action for People and Nature"
- Outline of the Meeting
A. The host of the Meeting (China), and Dr. Musonda MUMBA, the Secretary General, delivered speeches at the beginning. In their speeches, China pointed out the necessity to promote activities for conserving wetlands on a global scale, and the Secretary General stated that the conservation and restoration of wetlands will contribute to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and SDGs, while the Convention provides significant information to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other multilateral environmental agreements and frameworks.
B. At the Plenary Session, the Secretariat reported the progress of the implementation of the Convention, and other working groups such as the Standing Committee Subgroup on Finance, and the Scientific and Technical Review Panel reported on their activities since the previous COP.
C. Through deliberations at the Plenary Session and the Contact Group, a total of 21 resolutions, including the review of the Fourth Strategic Plan, were adopted.
Resolution on review of the Fourth Strategic Plan of the Convention on Wetlands, additions for the period COP14-COP15 and framework for the Fifth Strategic Plan
It was decided that the amendments to the current strategic plan, the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016-2024, are to be limited to the minimum necessary during the remaining period. In addition, thematic Annexes corresponding to the decisions made by other relevant multilateral environmental agreements, such as the new CBD Global Biodiversity Framework targets, are to be reflected, in order to ensure the continuity between successive Strategic Plans. Specifically, it was decided to update the Plan when the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is adopted, and the following three Annexes are to be added: (1) Annex on wetland conservation actions to achieve the SDGs’ targets; (2) Annex on the new CEPA (Communication, Capacity building, Education, Participation and Awareness) approach; and (3) Annex on gender-responsive wetland policies.
Resolution on strengthening Ramsar connections through youth
Preventing the loss of wetlands and restoring them require the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, including experts, academics, and activists of the young generation (youth). Therefore, it was decided to strengthen youth involvement, including the appointment of the national government Youth Focal Points.
Resolution on waterbird population estimates to support new and existing Ramsar Site designations under Ramsar Criterion 6 – use of alternative estimates
The Waterbird Population Estimates (WPE), which is applied in the calculation of the 1% criterion embedded in Ramsar Criterion 6 (a wetland that regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a biogeographic population of one species or subspecies of waterbird), has not been updated since 2012. Therefore, this resolution enables to apply alternative data sources to determine the 1% threshold in the context of applying Ramsar Criterion 6 until the WPE is updated.
D. The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe expressed its intention to host the next Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15).
On the second day, a High-Level Ministerial Segment was convened by the COP14 host country, the government of the Republic of China. The Wuhan Declaration, a document led by China under its presidency, was issued. It should be noted that the Declaration was not a negotiated document of the Conference of the Parties.
- Dates and meeting styles
From November 5 to November 13, 2022
In-person negotiation in Geneva, Switzerland, and online meeting (only for the opening session and a High-Level Ministerial Segment) in Wuhan, China
- Venues
East Lake International Conference Center, Wuhan, China
Centre International de Conferences Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Participants
172 Contracting Parties and Observers to the Convention
From Japan, the government delegation consisted of the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Observers from relevant local governments and NGOs, etc. also participated.
- Theme
"Wetlands Action for People and Nature"
- Outline of the Meeting
A. The host of the Meeting (China), and Dr. Musonda MUMBA, the Secretary General, delivered speeches at the beginning. In their speeches, China pointed out the necessity to promote activities for conserving wetlands on a global scale, and the Secretary General stated that the conservation and restoration of wetlands will contribute to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and SDGs, while the Convention provides significant information to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other multilateral environmental agreements and frameworks.
B. At the Plenary Session, the Secretariat reported the progress of the implementation of the Convention, and other working groups such as the Standing Committee Subgroup on Finance, and the Scientific and Technical Review Panel reported on their activities since the previous COP.
C. Through deliberations at the Plenary Session and the Contact Group, a total of 21 resolutions, including the review of the Fourth Strategic Plan, were adopted.
Resolution on review of the Fourth Strategic Plan of the Convention on Wetlands, additions for the period COP14-COP15 and framework for the Fifth Strategic Plan
It was decided that the amendments to the current strategic plan, the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016-2024, are to be limited to the minimum necessary during the remaining period. In addition, thematic Annexes corresponding to the decisions made by other relevant multilateral environmental agreements, such as the new CBD Global Biodiversity Framework targets, are to be reflected, in order to ensure the continuity between successive Strategic Plans. Specifically, it was decided to update the Plan when the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is adopted, and the following three Annexes are to be added: (1) Annex on wetland conservation actions to achieve the SDGs’ targets; (2) Annex on the new CEPA (Communication, Capacity building, Education, Participation and Awareness) approach; and (3) Annex on gender-responsive wetland policies.
Resolution on strengthening Ramsar connections through youth
Preventing the loss of wetlands and restoring them require the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, including experts, academics, and activists of the young generation (youth). Therefore, it was decided to strengthen youth involvement, including the appointment of the national government Youth Focal Points.
Resolution on waterbird population estimates to support new and existing Ramsar Site designations under Ramsar Criterion 6 – use of alternative estimates
The Waterbird Population Estimates (WPE), which is applied in the calculation of the 1% criterion embedded in Ramsar Criterion 6 (a wetland that regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a biogeographic population of one species or subspecies of waterbird), has not been updated since 2012. Therefore, this resolution enables to apply alternative data sources to determine the 1% threshold in the context of applying Ramsar Criterion 6 until the WPE is updated.
D. The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe expressed its intention to host the next Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15).
Accreditation Ceremony Under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention
On November 10, 2022, during the Meeting of COP14, an accreditation ceremony for the newly accredited cities under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme was held. From Japan, Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture were newly accredited. Mr. NAKAHARA Yaichi, Mayor of Niigata City, and Mr. YOSHIDA Sadao, Deputy Mayor of Izumi City, participated in the ceremony and received the certificates from Dr. Musonda MUMBA, the Secretary General. Both Cities made presentations on the conservation efforts, other relevant initiatives undertaken at their wetlands and future aspirations at side events.
Mr. KURECHI Masayuki's Receiving of the Ramsar Convention Award
On November 7, 2022, during the Meeting of COP14, the eighth edition of the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards was held, and Mr. KURECHI Masayuki (Board Member, Ramsar Network Japan, and President, Japanese Association for Wild Geese Protection) received the Ramsar Convention Award for Wetland Wise Use. A short movie introducing Mr. KURECHI's conservation activities was screened, and he expressed his gratitude for receiving the award and talked about his future aspirations.
Other
MOE Japan held two side events in Geneva, Switzerland, and introduced the initiatives by Niigata City and Izumi City, the newly accredited Cities under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme. The longstanding efforts made by Mr. KURECHI, a Ramsar Convention Award recipient, were also introduced. Additionally, MOE Japan, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ramsar Network Japan, and the Watarase Reservoir Conservation and Utilization Council, made presentations concerning the protection of biodiversity in rice paddies. At an exhibition booth, MOE Japan also showcased the Ramsar sites, conservation efforts and case studies from the country.