Side event details

Worldwide, endangered river cetaceans find their refuge in >600.000 km2 of Ramsar sites. While all governments that host river cetaceans are Contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention, during this side-event together we will build and express consensus on the global priorities for river cetacean conservation, paving the way for a worldwide agreement on the protection of these emblematic key stone species. The side-event will be held in Geneva and Wuhan, connecting the two CoP14 locations.

Globally, there are only six cetacean species (dolphins and a porpoise) found in rivers, of which four are obligate freshwater species. All are apex predators and indicators of river health, a requisite for people and nature to flourish. River cetaceans are culturally relevant for many communities around the globe, closely tied to myths and legends, supporting vital livelihoods. However, despite their high ecological and cultural significance, all river cetaceans are classified by IUCN’s Red list as endangered or critically endangered. The world needs more unified efforts to tackle the challenges, balancing the needs of humans and these cetaceans alike.

River cetacean species inhabit eight mighty river systems in 15 countries in Asia and South America, finding refuge in 32 Ramsar sites in 9 countries, covering more than 600,000 km2. In addition, all countries that host river cetaceans are Contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru and Venezuela. This tells us that Ramsar-sites play a vital role in the survival of these emblematic species, and that the Ramsar Convention is crucial to unite all river cetacean range states, working together to face the wide range of threats to the species and their homes.

These threats include climate change (drought, floods), infrastructure projects, water pollution and unsustainable fishing practices (link to draft resolution 18.2). While solutions to these challenges exist and are being applied, together we can scale them up, increasing impact: technical innovations, community and youth empowering approaches (link to draft resolution 18.14), monitoring methods, conflict resolution practices, amongst others.

During this side-event, we will build consensus on the global priorities for river cetacean conservation, paving the way for a worldwide agreement for their protection. Through a panel discussion, Contracting parties share their successes and conservation challenges, elaborating how a worldwide agreement can help river cetacean survival, building on the experience with other species.
The discussion will build on the existing transnational agreements under other MEA’s (link to draft resolution 18.8), namely the South American river dolphin Conservation Management Plan of the International Whaling Commission (4 countries) and the Concerted Action agreed under the Convention on Migratory Species for the South Asian river dolphins (2 countries).

Outcome: by bringing all these elements together, we will build and reach consensus on the global priorities for river cetacean conservation, paving the way for a global agreement.

Welcome by the moderator; Philip Leonard, Deputy-lead Freshwater Practice, WWF Intl

Global context of river dolphin conservation and the role of Ramsar
Daphne Willems, River dolphin rivers Initiative lead, WWF Intl.
River dolphins: where they live, what their challenges are, and how we can overcome them

Government of Colombia, Sandra Vilardy, Vice-minister of the Environment
Regional governmental collaboration for river dolphins between Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru: the South American river dolphin Conservation Management Plan, endorsed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC)

Government of Pakistan (to be confirmed)
Regional governmental collaboration for river dolphins between Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal and Pakistan: the intention to develop a Regional fisheries-focused river dolphin Conservation Management Plan for Asia

Moving from Regional to Global, endorsing the Call to Action (by all Contracting Parties present): the World needs to come together to conserve river dolphins, for healthy people and healthy rivers, while recognizing Ramsar as an important platform in this challenge.