Memorandum
of Co-operation
between
The Convention on Wetlands
(Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
and the
Coordinating Unit of the Mediterranean Action Plan of
the Secretariat of the Convention for the Protection of
the Marine Environment and the Coastal region of the
Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention)
Preamble
Since its inception in 1971, the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran,
1971) has provided the single most important intergovernmental forum on
wetland conservation issues.
According to the Convention’s mission
statement, the Contracting Parties agree to “the conservation and wise use
of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and
international co-operation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable
development throughout the world”.
The Convention is founded on three pillars of:
 promoting wise use of wetlands,
 developing international co-operation, and
 developing a network of Wetland sites of International Importance.
The conservation and wise management of wetlands through the designation
of wetlands for the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance,
especially the obligation to maintain the ecological character of designated
sites, deserves special recognition.
Within the general obligations set out by the treaty, Contracting Parties,
meeting as the Conference of the Parties (COP) identify priorities for action
through a Strategic Plan. Implementation of this Memorandum of Cooperation shall be through joint actions within the framework of the
Strategic Plan, detailed in the attached Annex.
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The Action Plan for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the
Sustainable Development of the Coastal Area of the Mediterranean
(Mediterranean Action Plan-MAP II) represents the second phase of the
original MAP dating back to 1975. The Barcelona Convention which
constitutes the legal base of the MAP and the Protocol on the Special
Protected areas and Biodversity, both adopted in 1996, provide a sound
legal base for enhancing the cooperation of the CPs to protect and conserve
the marine and coastal biodiversity and protected area and promote and
achieve sustainable use of resources.
The main objectives of the MAP and the Barcelona Convention are among
others the following:
a) to ensure sustainable management of natural marine and land
resources through the integration of the environment in social,
economic development and land use policies.
b) to protect nature and enhance sites and landscapes or cultural value
With regard to wetlands and water resources management, the main
objective of the Barcelona Convention and the MAP is to enhance
conservation and rationalisation of Mediterranean wetlands. Furthermore
the CPs to the Barcelona Convention have adopted in 2003 the SAP BIO
(Strategic Action programme for the Conservation of Marine and Coastal
Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean region). In this context several
priority actions have been identified with respect to the protection and
conservation of endangered species, protected areas, SPAMIs including
coastal wetlands.
The Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona Convention recognize the
fundamental role played by wetlands in regulating and providing water, in
supporting maintenance of cultural and biological diversity, in ensuring high
ecosystem productivity, and in providing services and benefits for people
and the planet.
The Convention on Wetlands and Barcelona Convention share similar
conservation goals and the positive co-operation between the two
institutions to date has been expressed through a range of conjoint
activities. Turning to the future, it would be ideal to establish specific
mechanisms for enhancing synergies and partnerships to achieve common
goals, whilst avoiding duplication of effort, especially through
implementation of the Ramsar Convention Strategic Plan and the Barcelona
Convention objectives.
Therefore, the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona
Convention agree the following:
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Article 1. Mechanisms for Programme Co-operation
AThe Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona
Convention will develop a collaborative programme for sustainable wetland
and water resource conservation and management by increasing current
consultation and co-operation between them.
BThe Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona
Convention will inform their focal points at regional and national levels of
their co-operative activities. For general matters, the Secretariat of the
Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona Convention are respectively
represented by the Secretary General and the Coordinator, or their assigned
delegates.
CThe representatives of the two Conventions, or their assigned
delegates, may meet from time to time as needs arise to assess the
implementation of this Memorandum, exchange documents and review ongoing activities.
Article 2. Joint Activities
ACommon areas for joint conservation activities, as identified in the
Annex to this Memorandum of Co-operation, relate clearly to the Ramsar
Strategic Plan currently in force, the SAP BIO and the relevant action plan
on the protection of specific species elaborated under the MAP. The MoU
will be reviewed annually or at the request of either party.
BThe Barcelona Convention and the Secretariat of the Convention on
Wetlands will communicate agreement on common areas with their
respective networks and partners. The two Conventions endeavour to
mobilise the expertise available in support of their common activities.
CThe Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona
Convention will provide each other with details of their annual work
programmes to ensure harmonisation of activities at global, regional and
country levels.
DThe extent to which the collaborative programme and the joint
conservation activities are implemented will be subject to the availability
of resources.
Article 3. Obligation, Review and Termination
AThis Memorandum of Co-operation constitutes an expression of a
shared objective and vision. However, each party’s actions will be
considered to be that party’s sole and separate action, for all purposes, and
neither party shall claim to be acting on behalf of, or as agent for the other
party to this Memorandum of Co-operation.
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BThe term for this Memorandum of Co-operation is six years. The
agreement may be reviewed at the request of either party, while the
attached Annex should be revised and updated at least every two years, and
may be terminated by either party subject to six months notice in writing.
______________________________
Peter Bridgewater
Secretary General
Convention on Wetlands
(Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
Done at: ______________________
______________________________
Paul Mifsud
Coordinator
Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment and the Coastal
Region of the Mediterranean
(Barcelona Convention)
Date: _________________________
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ANNEX
Joint activities of the Convention on Wetlands and the Barcelona
Convention under this Memorandum of Collaboration in the framework
of the operational objectives of the strategic plan.
The two organisations agree to undertake collaborative or joint activities in
the framework of the operational objectives of the Convention on Wetlands.
In addition the two organisations agree that their collaboration will aim at
achieving manageable and deliverable results, with a clear value-added for
the implementation of the two Conventions in the Mediterranean region. In
this context, the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative of the Convention
(MedWet) will constitute the main interlocutor of the Barcelona Convention
for the implementation of this MoC.
Specific points of collaboration will be, indicatively but not exclusively the
following:
1. For the implementation of the SAP-BIO project, the Convention on
Wetlands and in particular the MedWet initiative will be the principal
advisor and partner of the Barcelona Convention as regards the
conservation, management, inventorying and all other aspects
related to wetland habitats and their biodiversity; MedWet will
participate in this partnership in its capacity as a collaboration
network under the auspices of the Ramsar Convention, bringing
together the efforts of the MedWet Coordination Unit, the expert
wetland centres participating in the MedWet Team, and the various
networks that operate under the flag of MedWet.
2. The two organisations will endeavour to develop a joint set of
activities for the protection and management of transboundary sites
in the Mediterranean, especially as regards coastal wetlands and
estuaries, as well as Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
3. The Convention on Wetlands, through the MedWet initiative and its
network of institutions will develop a close collaboration with both
the Secretariat of the Barcelona Convention and the Regional Activity
Centres (RACs) of UNEP/MAP under the guidance of the Secretariat.
As regards the latter, these will specifically include:
 The Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas
(RAC/SPA), aiming to develop joint activities in relation to:

Special Protected Areas of Mediterranean Interest (SPAMIs)
where those contain a wetland component;

Further harmonisation of the MedWet Inventory methodology
with the habitat types of the Barcelona Convention;

Development of a wetland inventory first for Libya and later as
appropriate for other Mediterranean countries;
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
Implementation of the Action Plan for the conservation of
birds listed in Annex II of the SPA/BD Protocol in the
Mediterranean, regarding coastal wetlands;
Collaboration will be achieved in particular through participation in
scientific meetings, joining regional networks for the monitoring of
species, collaborating in the development of guidelines for the
management of coastal wetlands, and participating in awareness
raising activities.
 The Regional Activity Centre on Priority Action Programme
(PAP/RAC), aiming to develop joint activities in relation to:

Integrated Coastal Zone Management, especially as regards the
conservation of coastal wetlands;
 The Blue Plan (Plan Bleu/RAC), aiming to develop joint activities as
regards:

Management of water resources in the Mediterranean;

Socio-economic indicators;
 The Regional Activity Centre on Information (Info/RAC), in relation to
activities aimed at increasing public awareness and information on
water and wetlands and in particular:

The Ramsar MedWet film award on Water and Wetlands, given
annually at the International Film and Visual Arts Festival of
Rhodes – Ecofilms;
4. The Ramsar Convention on wetlands and the Barcelona Convention
Secretariat will explore possible synergies and opportunities for
collaboration in their workplan concerning Communications
Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) activities and MAP strategy
on information and communication.
The Convention on Wetlands, through the collaboration of MedWet
with the Barcelona Convention Secretariat will plan and implement
jointly a set of CEPA and MAP information strategies and activities
including:

Launching joint events in Mediterranean countries and
elsewhere, also using the opportunity of both the Barcelona
Convention Secretariat and MedWet being hosted in the same
country, in order to promote public awareness and
understanding on the problems facing the Mediterranean and
the activities undertaken by both organisations for addressing
them;

Encouraging collaboration among the Ramsar Focal Points for
CEPA matters appointed by Contracting parties and UNEP/MAP
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Focal points or relevant
Mediterranean basin;

appointed
partners
in
the
Developing Environmental Education activities, including the
dissemination of audiovisual material, and especially the
material awarded the Ramsar/MedWet film prize at the
Ecofilms Festival.