Side event details

Learning from newly accredited Wetland Cities
Room
Day and time
10.11.2022 18:00
Lead organization
Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia
Partner organization(s)
1) Ministry of Environment - Korea, 2) Independent Advisory Committee for Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention, 3) ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and 4) Korean Wetlands Society
Details

Resolution XI.II of the Conference of Contracting Parties requested that the Convention explore the establishment of a wetland city accreditation scheme. As a response, Resolution XII.10 of the Conference of Contracting Parties established the “Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention” and formalized a framework to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands and regional and international co-operation, as well as to generate sustainable socio-economic benefits for the local populations.

The same Resolution emphasizes that: “This accreditation would encourage cities that are close to and depend on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance, but also other wetlands, to establish a positive relationship with these wetlands through increased participation and awareness and consideration of wetlands in local planning and decision making.”

After COP13, the mayors of 18 Wetland Cities voluntarily gathered and decided to establish the Wetland City Network to create synergies among the Wetland Cities through its annual conference called "Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors".

This side event will be an opportunity for newly accredited Wetland Cities to share their experiences and knowledge that they have built upon with interested parties and to welcome them into the Wetland City Network.

Objectives:

  • to introduce newly accredited Wetland Cities and learn about their programs on urban and peri-urban wetland conservation and wise use
  • to invite the mayors of newly accredited Wetland Cities to the 2nd meeting of the Wetland City Network to be held in Amiens, France
  • to promote the Accreditation Scheme and encourage Ramsar Contracting Parties to facilitate the selection of candidate Wetland Cities

Target audiences:

  • Newly accredited Wetland Cities
  • Contracting Parties interested in Wetland City Accreditation
Program

 

Opening messages

  • Director General, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
  • Secretary General, Convention on Wetlands
  • Chair, Independent Advisory Committee for Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention
  • Co-Chair, Independent Advisory Committee for Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention
  • Mayor, Suncheon Wetland City, Republic of Korea (Chair of Wetland City Network)
  • Managing Director, Water Agency of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland

 

Statements from new Wetland Cities (3 mins per speaker)

  1. Japan*
    • Izumi
    • Niigata
  2. Canada
    • Sackville
  3. China
    • Hefei
    • Jining
    • Liangping
    • Nanchang
    • Panjin
    • Wuhan
    • Yancheng
  4. France
    • Belval-en-Argonne
    • Seltz
  5. Indonesia
    • Surabaya
    • Tanjung Jabung Timur

 

Open forum

 

Statements from new Wetland Cities (3 mins per speaker)

  1. Islamic Republic of Iran
    • Bandar Khamir
    • Varzaneh
  2. Iraq
    • Al Chibayish
  3. Republic of Korea
    • Gochang
    • Seocheon
    • Seogwipo
  4. Morocco
    • Ifrane
  5. Rwanda
    • Kigali
  6. South Africa
    • Cape Town
  7. Spain
    • Valencia
  8. Thailand
    • Sri Songkhram District

 

Open forum

 

Closing messages

  • Executive Director, Ramsar Regional Center - East Asia
  • Deputy Mayor, Amiens Wetland City, France

 

* adjusted sequence of speakers, specifically for Japan, due to a conflict or overlap in schedule of side events on the same day and time slot