Side event details

Ramsar Regional Initiatives (RRIs) form an essential tool in the Convention’s structure to promote its objectives and support delivery of projects on the ground. The RRIs form a link between the global level of the convention, and support for contracting parties and their partners in regions that share common wetland types, culture, threats and opportunities. Working together creates a much-needed support in our continued efforts to prevent wetland loss, restore degraded wetlands and encourage wise use, for wetlands, wildlife and people.
This side event will celebrate the impacts of RRIs, from the oldest to the newest, and show the essential work that they are doing, giving case studies and examples of projects and approaches that deliver on the objectives of the Convention on Wetland. We will showcase the RRIs by region showing the breadth of work carried out, with testimonials from contracting parties that host and benefit from RRI activity.
The event will make proposals for the future and continued activity of the RRIs, focussing on work that can be replicated between them, opportunities to support those RRIs that are less active and the potential for the need for any new RRIs to be created.
Introduction (5 minutes)
Given by MedWet and Ramsar Secretariat (Musonda Mumba). The RRIs are an essential element in the delivery of the Convention’s objectives, and form a central part of the Convention’s structure.
Short film (3 minutes) (created by Ramsar Secretariat with support from the RRIs)
Regional updates (40 minutes)
Europe – MedWet, BlackSeaWet, Danube Wild Islands, Carpathian Wetland Initiative, NorBalWet (Contracting party: France TBC)
Africa – SARRI, NigerWet, RAMCEA (Contracting party: Zimbabwe TBC)
Americas – CREHO, Plata River Initiative (Contracting party: Panama TBC)
Asia – RRC-EA, IBBRI, RRC-WA, EAAFP, International Mangrove Centre (Contracting party: RoK TBC)
Sum up and close (5 minutes)
Give an overview of the strengths of the RRIs and what can be learnt and shared between them. Identify opportunities to strengthen the RRI approach, through continued contact and joint work. Advice for creating new RRIs where needed.