Side event details

This side event will 1. explore the ecological, social and institutional aspects of connectivity of wetland networks across the world and come up with recommendations for Ramsar, based on experience from regional and national flyway initiatives and partners; 2. Focus on finance needs and options to support wetland management and restoration and highlight opportunities for innovative funding across stakeholder groups; and 3. Share China’s experiences in flyway and wetland conservation through  policy and practice, case study of OECMs for Spoon-billed Sandpiper, and CEPA initiatives in line with draft COP 15 resolutions.

Strengthening connections among wetlands, increasing financing and enhancing national and international partnerships are all very relevant to the COP15 theme of Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future and this side-event will link to draft resolutions on CEPA (23.6), Institutional Strengthening (23.9), Flyways (23.16) and OECMs (23.18)

Wetlands are among the most ecologically connected of sites, due to their importance in enabling millions of waterbirds and other species to complete their migratory journeys.  While the focus has been on ecological connectivity, wetlands are also connected by the people who manage and use these areas. Increasing the connections among people living in and around wetland networks (social connectivity) underpins the integrity and long-term sustainability of these networks. Recognition of the links among important wetlands along the routes of migratory species has led to the development of national and international frameworks to support site networks. This aspect of institutional connectivity promotes the effectiveness of cooperative and collaborative approaches to supporting and developing ecological networks.

EAAFP, ICLEI, the WHSSRN/CMS and ICF will present examples of social and institutional connectivity in a panel discussion

Finance for wetlands continues to be significantly below what is needed for their continued maintenance and much-needed restoration. Of all the world’s ecosystems wetlands have experienced the most losses, are often the least supported and are under the most threat from further degradation. Finance is therefore vitally needed for these ecosystems which are so critical for the local communities and biodiversity they support. We will look at the current state of finance for nature and wetlands and will then explore some of the findings from the recently published Global Wetland Outlook Report which highlights the need for additional finance for wetlands, focusing on the role and perspective of development banks, national governments and civil society, including through regional flyway initiatives

ADB and representatives of development banks, governments and civil society will discuss options to increasing financing of wetland conservation.

Over the past decade, China's efforts in migratory waterbird flyway and wetland conservation have achieved significant progress. We will share China’s experiences, including

 1) Strengthening Conservation of Migratory WaterBird Flyways and Wetland Conservation in China - Policies and Practices. Presenter: UNDP China

 2) Importance of OECMs effect for filling conservation gap in coastal wetlands of EAAF: case study of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Presenter: Dr. Sun Lili, MCF

3) Releasing the “Wetland Power: CEPA Case Studies” and inviting wetland conservation representatives to share insights. Presenter: Dr. Yu, Xiubo, CAS