SC4822Partnerships

CONVENTIONONWETLANDS(Ramsar,Iran,1971)
48thMeetingoftheStandingCommittee
Gland,Switzerland,2630January2015

DOC.SC4822

ApplicationforIOPStatusandproposedFrameworkandPlanfor
PartnershipsandResourceMobilisationwithintheRamsarConvention

Actionsrequested:
StandingCommitteeisinvitedto:
ReviseandapprovetheapplicationforIOPstatusoftheWildfowlandWetlandsTrust,
followingsubmissiontoSC47,forsubmissiontoCOP12;and
ReviseandapprovetheproposedFrameworkandPlanforPartnershipsandResource
MobilisationwithintheRamsarConvention,forsubmissiontoCOP12.

BackgroundnotebytheRamsarSecretariat

A.ProposaltoaddWildfowlandWetlandsTrust(WWT)asanInternationalOrganisation
Partner

1. TheChairoftheStandingCommitteeandtheSecretariatreceivedarequestinOctober2013
fromtheWildfowlandWetlandsTrust(WWT),whichisseekingformalrecognitionunderthe
ConventionasanInternationalOrganizationPartner(IOP).

2. ContractingPartiesdecidedthroughResolutionVII.3Partnershipswithinternational
organizationsthatinternationalorganizationsinterestedinformalrecognitionasPartners
totheConventionshouldpresentanapplicationtotheConventionsBureauforitsinclusion
intheagendaofthenextmeetingoftheStandingCommittee,whichinturnshallmakea
recommendationtotheConferenceoftheContractingPartiesforfinaldecision.

3. TheAnnextoResolutionVII.3establishedRulesforconferringthestatusofInternational
OrganizationPartneroftheConventiononWetlands.ThequalificationsforWildfowland
WetlandsTrusttobecomeanIOP,basedonmeetingcharacteristicsrequiredforIOPsare
spelledoutintheAnnextoResolutionVII.3,intheapplication,whichisattachedtodocument
SC4710.

4. Inconsideringthisrequest,theStandingCommitteemaywishtonotethatWWThasalready
collaboratedcloselywiththeConventionthroughtwoMemorandaofCooperationwiththe
Secretariat:thefirst,signedin2005,focusedonCEPAactivities;thesecond,signedin2011,
coveredawiderrangeofcooperativeactivities.WWTcontributedverysignificantlytothe
preparationofthedraftresolutiononhighlypathogenicavianinfluenza,throughits
substantiveannexofguidancetoContractingParties.Italsocoorganizedsideeventson
WetlandLinkInternational(WLI)andavianinfluenzaandhelpedtodeveloptheWorld
WetlandNetwork(WWN).

5. ItisalsousefultorememberthattheconceptionandearlydevelopmentoftheRamsar
ConventioncloselyinvolvedWWTstaffandtheInternationalWildfowlResearchBureau

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(IWRB),whichWWThostedatthetimeatSlimbridgeintheUnitedKingdom.IWRB
eventuallybecameWetlandsInternational,whichhasbeenaRamsarIOPsince1999.

6. Afterreviewingtheinformationprovided,theSecretariatconsidersthatWWTfulfilswiththe
requirementsandtheroleandexpectationsofanIOPassetoutinResolutionVII.3.

B.FrameworkandPlanforPartnershipsandResourceMobilisationwithintheRamsar
Convention

7. ThepurposeoftheFrameworkandPlanforPartnershipsandResourceMobilisationisto
establishthescopeandfocusfordevelopingandfundingactivitieswhichcansupportthe
implementationoftheRamsarConventionStrategicPlan20162021.

8. AnumberofGlobalPrioritiesareidentifiedforfurtherdevelopment,includingintheareasof
improvedmanagementandrestorationofwetlandsaswellasmapping,knowledge,
measurementandreporting,.Thevariedwaysfornationalgovernmentsandpartnersto
participatearealsoexplained.

9. ThePlandescribesarolefortheRamsarSecretariattoplayindevelopingprojectsand
investmentopportunities,andbrokeringfinancingorcofinancingopportunitieswithhigh
qualityprojects.

10. Italsoexplainsapproachestofocusandplanactivitiesandcommitmentswithpartnersatall
levels,andtherolefordifferentactors(suchasnationalgovernments,TheSecretariat,IOPs,
andotherpartners)toenhancethevaluepropositionandprofileoftheRamsarConvention.

11. TheannualworkplanforthePartnershipUnit,totheendof2015,isincludedasAnnexB.

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DraftResolutionXII.xxontheConventionsInternationalOrganizationPartners,
PartnershipsandResourceMobilisation

A.RegardingtheConventionsInternationalOrganizationPartners

1. RECALLINGthatanumberofinternationalnongovernmentalorganizations(INGOs)
playedasignificantroleintheinceptionoftheConvention,andAWAREthattheseandan
increasingnumberofotherINGOsandintergovernmentalorganizationsarecontributing
to,orhavethepotentialtocontributeto,thedevelopmentandimplementationofthe
Conventionsmissionatlocal,nationalandglobalscales;

2. ALSORECALLINGResolutionVII.3Partnershipswithinternationalorganizations,inwhich
theContractingPartiesestablishedrulesforconferringthestatusofInternational
OrganizationPartneroftheConvention,andconferredthisstatusonBirdLife
International,IUCNTheWorldConservationUnion,WetlandsInternational,andtheWorld
WideFundforNature(WWF);

3. FURTHERRECALLINGthatinResolutionVII.3thePartiesdecidedthatfurtherinternational
nongovernmentalandintergovernmentalorganizationsmeetingthecriteriaestablished
bythoserulesandinterestedinformalrecognitionasInternationalOrganizationPartners
oftheConventionshouldpresentanapplicationtotheRamsarSecretariat,tobe
submittedtotheStandingCommitteeforconsiderationandrecommendationtothe
ConferenceoftheContractingPartiesforitsfinaldecision;

4. FURTHERRECALLINGthat,throughResolutionIX.16,thePartiesrecognizedthe
InternationalWaterManagementInstitute(IWMI)asthefifthInternationalOrganization
Partner;

5. NOTINGthattheWildfowlandWetlandsTrust(WWT)hasappliedforInternational
OrganizationPartnerstatus,andthattheStandingCommitteeaskedtheSecretariatinDecision
SC4721toprepareadraftresolutiononWWTsapplication,topresenttoContractingPartiesat
COP12;

B.RegardingPartnershipsandResourceMobilisation

6. WELCOMINGthepreparationbytheRamsarSecretariatofaStrategicFrameworkfor
RamsarPartnerships(COP11DOC.18);

7. RECALLINGthatContractingPartiessoughtthroughResolutionXI.6Partnershipsand
synergieswithMultilateralEnvironmentalAgreementsandotherinstitutionstosupport
effectivecollaborationwithrelatedconventionsandorganizations;

8. ALSORECALLINGthatResolutionXI.20Promotingsustainableinvestmentbythepublicand
privatesectorstoensurethemaintenanceofthebenefitspeopleandnaturegainfrom
wetlandscallsforContractingPartiestopromoteinvestmentandpolicydecisionswhich
encouragethewiseuseofwetlands;

9. ALSORECALLINGResolutionX.12PrinciplesforpartnershipsbetweentheRamsar
Conventionandthebusinesssectorestablishesprinciplesandcriteriaforduediligence;

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10. NOTINGhistoricdifficultiesofConventionbodiesinmakingthemostofpartnershipsand
fundraisingopportunitiesandlimitedcapacityandsuccessindeliveringagainstthe
Frameworksince2012;

11. UNDERSTANDINGtheneedtorespondtoawiderangeofdemandsandopportunities,and
alsotheimportanceoffocusingonprioritiesforimpact,andalsoonactivitiesthatattract
partnersandfunders;

12. TAKINGINTOCONSIDERATIONthefeedback,suggestionsandsupportofContracting
PartiesduringRamsarRegionalMeetingsheldinOctoberandNovember2014;

13. ALSOTAKINGINTOCONSIDERATIONthefeedback,suggestionsandsupportwhichthe
InternationalOrganizationPartnersandotherkeypartnersprovidedduringthe
preparationoftheFrameworkandPlanin2014;and

14. KEEPINGINMINDthattheFrameworkandPlanwillsetthedirection,andestablishes
aspirationsfor2021,aswellasshortertermobjectives;

THECONFERENCEOFTHECONTRACTINGPARTIES

A.RegardingtheConventionsInternationalOrganizationPartners

15. REAFFIRMStherulesestablishedintheAnnextoResolutionVII.3forconferringthestatus
ofInternationalOrganizationPartneroftheConventiontoorganizationsthatmeetthe
criteriaestablishedinthoserules;

16. CONFIRMSthestatusofInternationalOrganizationPartneroftheConventionforBirdLife
International,IUCNTheWorldConservationUnion,WetlandsInternational,the
InternationalWaterManagementInstitute(IWMI)andtheWorldWideFundforNature
(WWF);

17. APPROVESthisstatusfortheWildfowlandWetlandsTrust(WWT);

B.RegardingPartnershipsandResourceMobilisation

18. APPROVEStheFrameworkandPlanforPartnershipsandResourceMobilisationannexed
tothisResolutionfortheperiod20162021;

19. CONFIRMSabroadinterestbypartiestoengage,supportandparticipateinthestated
globalpriorities,includingwiththepossibilityofplanningtoprovidevoluntaryfunding
support;

20. PLEDGEStoplanforandmakecommitmentsinthecontextofaGlobalPartnershipfor
WetlandsRestoration;and

21. INSTRUCTSStandingCommitteetoensureregularoversightandreviewprogressreports.

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AnnexA:FrameworkandPlanforPartnershipsandResourceMobilizationwithinthe
FrameworkoftheRamsarConvention

Background

Partnershipsarefundamentaltothesuccessfulimplementationandfinancingofourshared
ambitions,withintheRamsarConvention.

Thisdocumentseekstobuildonanumberofearlierdocumentsandefforts,whichestablishedthe
basisfortheroleofPartnershipswithintheconvention.Inparticular,RamsarCOP11DOC18
StrategicFrameworkforRamsarpartnerships:partnershipsandfundraising.

TheStrategicPlanfor201621includesthegreaterinvolvementofpartnerstoachieveourtargets
andstatesthatthewiseuseofallwetlandsviapartnerships,isoneofthetopgoalsforthefocusof
theconventiontoconcentrateitsefforts.

ThisdocumentprovidesaFrameworkandPlanforPartnershipsandResourceMobilizationandis
presentedinthreeparts:

Section1.HowtofinanceimplementationoftheRamsarStrategicPlan

Section2.Whattoprioritizeandfocuson,withpartners

Section3.Withwhomtoworkinordertoachieveourgoals

Stepstakenindevelopingtheframeworkandplan,aswellasananalysisofsomekeyconsiderations
regardingopportunitiesandchallenges,areprovidedinAnnexA.

Section1:HowtofinanceimplementationoftheRamsarStrategicPlan

1.1EstablishandmaintainanInvestinginWetlandsplatform,tohelpmobilizehumanand
financialresources

InordertoachievethetargetsoftheRamsarStrategicPlanfor20162021,alargenumberofhigh
qualityandhighimpactprojectsmustbefinancedandimplemented.

Initsroleasacatalyst,theRamsarSecretariatwilldevelopaplatformthatlistseligibleprojects,in
ordertohelpguideandbrokerresourcestowardsexistingorpotentialhighimpactprojects.

Foraprojecttoqualify,theproponentsmustprovideashortsummary(lessthantwopages)that
explainstheintendedprojectsrelevancetotheRamsarStrategicPlan,intendedoutcomes,
activities,timeline(uptothreeyears),partnersandfundingneeds.

Forafundertoqualify,theirareasofinterestmustlineupwiththeRamsarStrategicPlan201621.

1.2Buildingcapacitywithinregions,tosecurefinancialresources

WithinRamsarRegionalInitiativesandRamsarRegionalTeams(withinthesecretariat),thereisa
needandopportunitytobuildcapacityandskillsforfundraising.Thisprocesshasstartedwithan

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analysisoftheextentanddepthoffundingmadeavailableforwiseuse.TheGlobalEnvironment
Facility(GEF)hasprovidedatleast$400millionforwetlandsprojectsinGEF5,andGEF6offers
equallystrongopportunitiesforleverage.Indeed,theGEFwillnowinvolveRamsarSeniorRegional
Advisorsintheirupcomingregionalconsultativeworkshops,whichwillprovideanotherimportant
steptowardsdeepeningthelinksbetweenGEFandRamsarConventionspriorities.

Furtherstepscanbetakenviathedevelopmentanddeploymentofknowledgeandskillswithinthe
Secretariat,inproposaldevelopment,trainingandliningupadditionalcofinancingopportunitiesfor
GEF,AdaptationFund,GreenClimateFundetc.IncreasingtheSecretariatscapabilitiesinthisareais
referredtointhenextsection,underthedevelopmentofRamsarAdvisoryServices.

AnopportunityalsoexiststoincreasebestpracticesharingbetweentheRamsarRegionalInitiatives,
inordertoincreasetheirimpactandfunding.Thiswillbehelpedbytheproposedactivitiesin
documentSC4824RegionalinitiativesoperatingwithintheframeworkoftheRamsarConvention
tovirtuallylinkRamsarRegionalInitiatives.

1.3EvolutionoftheRamsarGrantsAssistanceProgrammes,wherethereisclearopportunity

TheRamsarSecretariatwillcontinuetoadministersmallgrantsforhighimpactwetlandsprojects,
andevolvethesocalledRamsarGrantsAssistanceProgrammeifthereissufficientinterestand
fundingavailablefromcontractingpartiestodoso.Thisfinancingmechanismmaybetailoredtothe
locationsorissuesofmostinteresttofundersthatstepforwards,withaminimumrequiredfundsize
of$1million.

1.4Opportunities,RolesandResponsibilities

Nationalgovernments,RegionalInitiativesandPartnersareencouragedtoregisterto
participateintheInvestinginWetlandsplatform(onlineorviaperceval@ramsar.org)and
candosobysubmittingshortsummariesofhighimpactprojectsthatqualify.

Nationalgovernments,RegionalInitiativesandPartnersareencouragedtoregisterto
participateinactivitiestoBuildFinancingCapacity(onlineorviaperceval@ramsar.org)
includingtrainingonhowtoseekcofinancingforprojectsviatheGlobalEnvironment
Facility,etc.

TheroleoftheRamsarSecretariatistoprovidesupportandadvice,includingbymaking
connections,andhelpingmoveproposalstowardsfundingsuccess.ThePartnershipteam
willworktodevelopandmaintainthesystemsandrelationshipsthatarerequiredinorder
tomakeprogress.


Section2:Whattoprioritizeandfocuson,withourpartners

Thissectionidentifiestenglobalprioritiesandopportunitiestofurtherdevelop,allofwhichhavethe
potentialtodriveprogressonourgoalsandasignificantnumberofthetargetsestablishedinthe
RamsarStrategicPlan.Totheextentpossible,activitieslistedasaspirationsunderCOP11
ResolutionXI.2,areintegratedwiththepriorities.Theprojectsandinitiativeslistedinthissection
alsobuildonpreviousworksuchasResolutionXI.6PartnershipsandsynergieswithMultilateral
EnvironmentalAgreementsandotherinstitutions.

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Top10GlobalPriorities:

i. Improvingknowledge,leveragingearthobservationandcitizenengagement

Theopportunityexiststoharnesstechnologyandcrowdsourcing,todevelopabetterpictureof
changinglandscapesanddrivers.ThisinitiativewillcombineEarthObservationandCitizen
Engagement,Reportingmethodstoimproveuptodateknowledgeonwetlands.Itwillcombinethe
disciplinesofecology,hydrologyandengineeringtodeepenunderstandingoftrendsandtheir
implications.RequiredfirststepsaretoimproveanalysisandcategorisationofRamsarSitesunder
ProtectedAreascategories,andtomovetowardsintegratedmanagementofsiteswithmultiple
internationalprotectedareadesignations(e.g.UNESCOWorldHeritageCentre,ManandBiosphere,
GeoParksandRamsarSites).

Improvedknowledgeofwetlandsstatusandtrendsisurgentlyrequired,tosupportandinform
decisions.Theprojectsandinitiativesproposedinthissectionbuildonarangeofearlierwork,
includingtheGlobalWetlandObservingSystems(GWOS)andRamsarSitesInformationService
(RSIS).

ii. GlobalWetlandsRestorationPartnership

Wetlandsprovidemultiplebenefits,forpeopleandnatureandtheopportunityexiststoconstructor
restorethem,globally.

Intermsofclimatesequestrationandstorage,disasterriskreduction,foodsecurity,watersecurity,
andthecobenefitsforreducingpovertyandimprovinglivelihoods,theevidenceforwetlandsas
areasofhighimpactopportunityisclear.

Thereisalsonowanewlevelofmotivationandurgencytorestorewetlands.OntopoftheBonn
Targetsforlandrestoration,theSustainableDevelopmentGoalscurrentlyincludesLand
DegradationNeutralityasatarget,whilethe2014WWFLivingPlanetReportpointstothecritical
roleofwetlands,ashabitatsforbiodiversity.

Nextstepsinbuildingthisinitiativeincludedrawingupthegameplan,consultingwithParties,
buildingthecoalitionofpartnersandrequiredengagement,securingpledgesandcommitments
fromnationalgovernments,andthenlaunchingitasaninclusiveglobalinitiative.

iii. DevelopingSustainableDevelopmentGoalsIndicators

TheopportunityexiststodrawconnectionsbetweenRamsarConventionandtheSustainable
DevelopmentGoalsatanumberofdifferentlevels:
o AnalyzingandthenexplainingtherelevanceoftheRamsarStrategicPlantowards
SDGs,usingagenericpowerpointpresentation(translatedintoanumberof
languages).
o UsingexistingornewinformationtosupportSDGindicatorsdevelopmentand
monitoring.
o AnalyzingandcommunicatinghowRamsarSitescontributetotheSDGs(e.g.
essentialneeds,disasterriskreduction,etc.)

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iv. DevelopingRamsarAdvisoryServices

InordertodeepenandexpandtherelevantvalueandskillsoftheRamsarConventionsregional
teamsandregionalinitiatives,anopportunityexiststodevelopRamsarAdvisoryServices.These
cantaketheformofgenericortailoredproductsandservices.Theintentionistodevelopanoffer
whichisgloballycoherent,andregionallydifferentiated.SomeofthevaluetobuildthroughRamsar
AdvisoryServicesincludes:
Guidancetonationaland/orsitemanagersonhowtosecurefunds(includingGEFfunding)
RamsarAdvisoryMissions,withdetailedreportsandrecommendations
Trainingevents
WorldclassexpertiseandadviceonwetlandsrelatedissuessuchasDisasterRiskReduction,
Poverty&Livelihoods,ClimateSequestrationandStorage,CitizenScience,Sustainable
DevelopmentGoals,Reporting,Crosssectoralissues,etc.

v. Buildinghumanandsocialcapacitythroughnetworks

Thepurposeofthisprojectwillbetoinspire,equipandenablepeople,organizationsand
institutions,toimprovewiseuseofwetlands.Firstly,weneedtoreachouttowetlandpractitioners
aroundwetlandsitesandotherinterestedstakeholderssowecanbuildastrongernetworkthatcan
tellusabouttheirprioritizedneedsandopportunitiestohelpothers.Wecanusesuchinformation
inordertohelpensurethattrainingcourseandcapacitydevelopmentisprovidedintherelevant
placeandtherequiredlanguages,insuchplacesasRamsarRegionalCentresandelsewhere.The
Secretariatcanactasthehubforsuchnetworksandlinkuptheopportunitiesandneedsandmeet
theneedsofPartiesinwiseuseofwetlands.Itwillbepossibletoleverageexistingnetworks,suchas
theWetlandLinkInitiative(whichbringstogetherhundredsofwetlandcentresaroundtheworld),
WorldWildlifeFund(whichbringstogetherthousandsofenthusiastsaroundtheworld),andBirdlife
International(whichbringstogetherorganisationswithafocusonconservationofbirds),andto
makeconnectionsthattaprelevantexpertiseandbestpractices(e.g.TheNatureConservancyon
developingwaterfunds,WetlandsInternationalontheroleofpeatlandsinreducingimpactsof
climatechange,andLivingLakesNetwork(whichbringstogetherorganisationsthatareworkingon
lakes),etcetcinordertosupportprogresstowardstargetsintheRamsarstrategicplan.

vi. Improvingbusinessandinvestmentstandards,inordertosupporttheconservation,
managementandwiseuseofallwetlands,particularlyinexistingRamsarSites

Anopportunityexiststomaximizethepositiveandminimizethenegativerolethatbusinessand
investment(bothpublicandprivate)playsinchangingthestatusandextentofallwetlandtypes.
Developingsafeguardstoensureminimumstandardsforbusinessandinvestmentareusefulwaysto
reducethepotentialnegativeimpactonwetlands.Participatinginschemestocofinancethrough
publicandprivatesectorinvolvementmanagementorrestorationofwetlandsasnatural
infrastructureisagreatwaytoleveragewetlandsasnaturalsolutions.Developmentofthisinitiative
willsupportimplementationofRamsarResolutionXI.20Promotingsustainableinvestmentbythe
publicandprivatesectorstoensurethemaintenanceofthebenefitspeopleandnaturegainfrom
wetlands.

vii. EstablishingandsupportingWetlandsWiseUsefunds

SupportanddisseminationoftheexperiencesofWaterFundsandothermarketbasedinstruments
canhelpimprovemanagementandlongtermsustainabilityofwatersheds.Givenincreasing
pressuresonwetlands,wiseusefundsmayprovideagoodwaytoreconcileneedsofdifferent

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groups.ContractingPartiesandotherPartnershaveanopportunitytosupportexisting,andcreate
new,financingmechanismstoensurelongtermsustainabilityandwiseuse.

viii. Takingactiontoimprovewaterproductivityinagriculture

Waterefficiencyofagriculture(i.e.thecropperdrop)mustincreaseinordertomeetthe
expandingdemandforfood,energyandwater.Itisnotonlyatechnologicalchallenge,butalso
requiresthegovernance,institutions,normsandmarketdynamicstosupportimprovedefficiencyin
agriculture.

ix. Wetlands,CultureandLivelihoods

Buildingonoveradecadeofexperienceinworkingtoincludeculturalconsiderationswithinthe
RamsarConvention,theopportunityexiststostrengthenandfocusthisworkalongfivethemesin
whichtocelebrateandbuildopportunitiesfordeeperappreciationoftheconnectionsbetween
peopleandwetlands.Thefiveareasofproposedfocusare:NaturalHeritage;Agriculture&Food;
Leisure,Recreation&Tourism;Art&Architecture;andChildrensStorytelling.

DevelopmentofthisinitiativebuildsonexperiencewithResolutionIX.21onTakingintoaccountthe
culturalvaluesofwetlands,ResolutionX.28onWetlandsandpovertyeradication,andothers.

x. NaturalinfrastructureandWetlands,forBetterGrowth

Thefinancialandeconomiccaseforinvestingingreenratherthangreyinfrastructureismoreand
moreclear.Unlikeconventionalgreyinfrastructure,whichdepreciatesinvalueovertime(e.g.
concreteinawastewatertreatmentfacility),greenornaturalinfrastructureappreciatesinvalue
overtime(e.g.naturalwastewatertreatmentfacilitiescanalsoproviderecreationaldividends,etc.)
Thereisanopportunitytobuildonpastexperiences,suchasTheEconomicsofEcosystems&
BiodiversityandexperiencesofIOPandgovernmentengagementwithindustry,inordertodevelop
atargetedapproachtobuildingthepoliticaleconomy,evidenceandopportunityforinvestingin
wetlandsasnaturalinfrastructure.

Opportunities,RolesandResponsibilitiesforengagement

Nationalgovernments,RegionalInitiativesandPartnersmayregistertheirinteresttoreceive
updates,engageinand/orsupportspecificprojectsorinitiatives.Theprojectsthatgenerate
thegreatestinterestarethemostlikelytomoveforwards.

Nationalgovernments,RegionalInitiativesandPartnersareencouragedtoinformthe
Secretariataboutfundingprospectsasfundingwillbenecessarytosupportthework.

TheroleoftheRamsarSecretariatistoincubateandbuildtheseopportunities,withthe
PartnershipUnitworkingwithcolleaguestoupdatethelist,developtheprojects,secure
initialinvestments,ofatleast$250kinnewfundingperyear,andhelpbuildmomentumin
twoorthreeareasthatcancreatemostimpact.

ItmaybestrategicfortheSecretariattonarrowanddeepenitsownfocusontwoorthreeof
thepossibleGlobalInitiatives,whichwouldbeconsistentwithadviceonPartnershipgiven
byanumberofContractingPartiesatCOP11.

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Section3:Withwhomtoworkinordertoachieveoursharedgoals

ThelensthroughwhichRamsarconstituentsshouldprioritizeandfocustheirpartnershipbuilding
workisinthecontextofactionsthatcanmaximizetheprogresstowardsreachingtargets
establishedintheStrategicPlan.Alistofpotentiallyrelevantpartnerstoengagehavebeenlistedin
earlierPartnershiprelateddocuments,suchasSC4309.

Goal3oftheStrategicPlan201621referstoWiseUseofAllWetlandsthroughPartnershipsand
listsanumberoftargets.PartnershipsarealsocriticaltotheimplementationofotherStrategicPlan
goals.GuidancesetoutinRamsarWiseUseHandbook5(4thed.,2010)onPartnershipsisusefulto
refertowhenidentifyingwhotoworkwith.Indevelopingrelationshipswithbusiness,itisnecessary
toadheretothePrinciplesforpartnershipsbetweentheRamsarConventionandthebusinesssector
(assetoutinResolutionX.12(2008)).

Thefollowingbasicrequirementsarerecommendedinthecontextofanypartnership:
AformalizedtwowaycommitmentbetweenthePartnerorganizationandtheRamsar
Conventiononactivitiestoimplementmustbeagreedandwrittendown
Outcome(s)topursue,whicharerelevanttotheconventionsprioritiesand/orstrategic
planmustbeagreeduponandwrittendown
Thecapacityandfundingrequiredtodeliverhighqualityoutputisdiscussedandwell
understood

AfulllistofPartnerswillbemaintainedandupdatedontheRamsarwebsite,whichincludes:

InternationalOrganizationPartners

Thisgroupoforganizationsisrecognizedfortheirlongtermcommitmenttothemissionofthe
RamsarConvention,andplayacriticalroleinbothinfluencingthestrategyoftheconventionand
alsotakingactionswithintheirownorganizationstosupportandimplementtheconventionsgoals.

The201117MemorandumofCooperationagreedandsignedwithWWF,IUCN,Birdlife
International,IWMIandWetlandsInternationalisavailabletoviewatthislink:
http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/moc/MoC_5IOPs_19511_SIGNED.pdf.TheMOUprovidesaformal
definitionofthecharacteristics,commitmentsandbenefitsofIOPstatusandwillbedueforreview
andpossiblemodificationin2017.

AdditionofasixthIOP,WildfowlandWetlandsTrust,ispendingapprovalatthetimeofwriting.

PrivateSectorPartners

Theprivatesector(BusinessandInvestment,atallscalesfromMultinationaltoSmallMedium
Enterprises)isbothpartoftheproblemandpartofthesolution.Giventhesizeoftheirimpactand
influence,thefollowingindustrysectorsaremostrelevanttoworkwith:Finance,Lending&
Investment;Media&Entertainment;Leisure&Tourism;Agriculture,Food&Beverage;
Infrastructure&Extractives;andLargeHydroElectricPower.Thegreatestopportunitiesthat
nationalgovernmentshavetoinfluencechangedpracticesisviafiscalpolicy,regulations.The
greatestopportunitythatotherpartnershaveistoinfluencebusinessnormssuchaslending&
investmentpoliciesandpractices,orsocietalnormssuchasconsumerchoice.PublicPrivate
Partnershipsandcofinancingopportunities,inparticular,arealsopossibleinordertoleverage
wetlandsassolutionprovidersforbettereconomicgrowth.Itmaybeespeciallyusefultoworkwith

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industryassociations(e.g.IPEICA,ICMM,SAI),asconveyorbeltsforacceleratingworkinareasof
RamsarsStrategicPlanandpriorities.

OtherSustainableDevelopmentPartners

Insteadofsubdividingthelistofpartnersfurther,theSecretariatwilllistotherpartners(e.g.UN
system,NGOs,RiverBasinOrganizations,etc.)intoathirdcategorywhichincludesotherSustainable
DevelopmentPartners.ThereexistsastrongcommitmenttocollaboratewithotherMEAsandthe
UNsystemasawhole,whentheopportunityexiststocreatesynergiesorgreatercombinedimpact.
Totheextentpossible,andwhenitmakessense,RegionalInitiativesareencouragedtostrengthen
affiliationwithotherrelevantregionalorganisations(e.g.ASEAN).Partnershipsthatmeetbasic
requirementscanalsobelistedontheRamsarwebsite.

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AnnexB:Someinitialstepstakeninspecifyingpriorities

Elementsandstagesofacoherentprojectpartnershiptoconsiderandplan
Thelifecycleforturningideasintoaction,withinthecontextofthisframework,isasfollows:

1.Develop/
Improveconcepts

2.Furtherdesign
5.Implement
collaboratively,to
activities,monitor
increasevalueand
andreport
relevance

Fig.1:Thelifecycleofaproject
4.Developawork 3.Identifyand
plan,writeand engagerelevant
submitproposals partners/funders

Inordertobeinfluentialandtocreateimpact,itisnecessarytoinvestateverystage.

ReviewofOpportunitiesandChallenges

Opportunities
Wetlandsarevaluabletosociety
TheRamsarConventionisaglobaleffort
Societyhasthecapacityandresourcestoshiftcurrenttrends
TheRamsarConventionbenefitsfromstrongleadership
ThedevelopmentofanewStrategicPlan(201621)providestheopportunitytostrengthen
ourfocusaroundoutcomesthatcreatesagreateropportunityforimpactandfunding.

Challenges
Wetlandsasawordhasanegativeconnotationinanumberoflanguages
Financialresourcesaremoredifficulttosecurenow,thanatmosttimesinthepast
Thebehaviouroftheglobaleconomyrarelysupportswiseuse
Alackofcommitmentacrossallsectorsslowsdownprogress
ThereisaneedtodevelopthevalueandnumberofRamsarConventionproducts
AneedtoexpandRamsarConventionSecretariatstaffsupportforfinancingneedsof
countriesandregions.

Otherconsiderationsandstepstakenindevelopingtheproposedframeworkandplan

TheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)provideausefulinitialreferencepointforhowto
sharpenandnarrowourfocus,inpursuitoftheConventionsoverallmissiontowardsSustainable
Development.

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SC4822Partnerships

TheRamsarstrategicplanalsoclearlyarticulatesourgoals,andopportunitiesforimpact,andisa
keysourceofguidance.InordertodevelopourthinkingforthePartnershipUnitworkplan,we:
ExploredanumberofkeyquestionsregardingthepurposeandscopeofaPartnership
Unit1
CrossreferencedtheSecretaryGeneralsvision,theStrategicPlan,withexisting
partnerships
Reviewedadviceprovidedbyexternalconsultants(e.g.opportunitiesand
recommendationsforengagingwiththeglobalwateragenda).
HeldaKeyPartnersmeeting,inordertosolicitfeedbackandrecommendations
Conductedabriefanalysisofthefinancingofwetlands.

1
Weexploredquestionssuchas:Whatistherequiredscopeandfocus?Whichexistingorpotentialnew
partnerstoengage?Whatoutcomestoaimtodeliver?Whatdoespositiveimpactlooklike?Whatexisting
strengthswithinthehistoryoftheConventiontobuildupon?WhichelementsoftheStrategicPlanlend
themselvesmosttopartnerships,funding,andimpact?Howbesttoprioritiseandworkeffectivelyacross
differentunits,andconstituencies?

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SC4822Partnerships

AnnexC:AnnualworkplanforHeadofStrategy&Partnerships

Inlightoftheproposedframeworkandplan,thefollowingactivitieswillbecarriedwithcolleagues.

1:HowtofinanceimplementationoftheRamsarStrategicPlan
[25%timeallocation]

Ourvisionandplanisthatby2021,theRamsarSecretariatiswidelyrecognizedasakeyagentof
changeinscalinginvestmentsthatsupportwiseuseofallwetlands,includingRamsarsites,
PriorityInitiativesandtheRamsarConventionSecretariat.Indeed,by2021,anumberof
investmentshavebeenmobilizedthatallowtheconventiontoplayanactiveroleincapacity
buildingandmonitoringprogresstowardstheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.

Inordertopursueouraspirationsfor2021inthisarea,bytheendof2015,wewillhave:
i) DevelopedtheInvestinginWetlandsPlatform,andthenecessaryknowledgeandcontacts
(viaresearch,networkingandtraining),tosupportandenhancetheflowofinvestmentsthat
supportimplementationoftheRamsarStrategicPlan.
ii) Engagedandcollaboratedwithatleastfifteenpotentialinvestors/donors,inordertocreate
sharedopportunityforinvestinginwetlands.Wherepossible,usingtheplatformasthe
meanstodoso.
iii) Workedwithatleasttwentygovernmentsorpartnersinordertoimproveknowledgeof
howtosubmitqualifyingprojectstotheinvestmentplatform,forconsideration.
iv) Brokeredopportunities,andhelpedtoimproveproposals,foranumberofwetlandsrelated
investmentsseekingatotalofatleast$15million.
v) Writtendown,andinvitedfeedback,onaplanforvoluntarilylinkinginvestmentswith
capacitybuildingandmonitoringefforts,withaviewtoformalizingitin2016.
vi) Workedwithcolleaguestodevelopabetterunderstanding,andcloserrelationship,withthe
GEFandGEFagencies,inordertooffercontractingpartiesvaluableandusefuladvice.
vii) Developedusefulanalysistoprovideinsightstopotentialrecipientsandinparticular
relevanttocountriesinregionsthatareassociatedwithRamsarRegionalInitiatives.
viii) Workedwithcolleaguesandpartnerstoexamineanddiscussopportunitiestosupportand
influenceinvestmentandlendingstandardsthatmightconnectwithissuesandtrends
affectingRamsarsites.
ix) WorkedwithcolleaguestoensurethateverySRAincludesatleast10%timecommitmentin
theirworkplantosupporttheresourcemobilisation,informationsharing,andbuilding
internalcapacitythatisrequiredinordertoeffectivelysupporteffortstoinfluence
wetlandsrelatedinvestments.
x) SupportedandworkedwiththeSG/DSGtoincreasevoluntaryfundingcontributionstothe
Secretariat.

2:Whattoprioritizeandfocuson,withourpartners
[25%timeallocation]

Ourvisionandplanisthatby2021,thePartnershipUnitwillbedeveloping,securingfunds
for,(andsometimesmanagingoroverseeing)severalhighimpactpartnershipinitiativesthat
togethercontributetowiseuseofwetlandsandpositiveoutcomesforpeopleandnaturearound
theworld.

Tomovetowardsthisvision,bytheendof2015:
i) DevelopmaterialstopromoteandexplainthevalueandofferofthelistedGlobal
Priorities,inordertohelpattractpartnersandfunders

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SC4822Partnerships

ii) DiscussGlobalPrioritieswithdozensofparties,potentialfunders,andotherpartners,in
ordertoimprovetheportfolio,createandrespondtoopportunity,anddeepenvaluable
relationships
iii) Buildengagement,staffcapacityandfundingopportunitiesinfiveglobalpriorities
iv) Secureatleast$200kinnewfundingtosupportneeds/interestsoftheSecretariat

3:Withwhomtoworkinordertoachieveourgoals
[20%timeallocation]

Thevisionisthat,by2021,theRamsarConventionwillhaveathrivingnetworkofpartners
committedtoourSustainableDevelopmentmission,includingatleastsixIOPs,foursignificant
privatesectorpartnerships,andagloballydiversecommunityofotherpartnersthatarecreating
synergyandmeetingrequirementsforimpactfulandeffectivepartnerships.

Inordertopursueouraspirationsfor2021inthisarea,bytheendof2015,wewillhave:
i) WorkedcloselywiththeSGtostewardandadvancealloftheIOPrelationships,including
thedevelopmentofuptodatesummariesthatreflectthesharedbenefits,activitiesand
focusoftherespectiverelationships.
ii) Developedatleastonenewandsignificantprivatesectorpartnershipopportunity.
iii) Increasedbyatleastonethenumberofwateragendapartnersthatwepartnerwithin
significantways(e.g.TheWorldBank,UNWater,OECD,etc.).
iv) ConsideredtheRamsarConventionslistedpartnersasagotoresourceinfurther
developingpriorityinitiatives.
v) PutinplaceanewMOUwithUNEP,aninstitutionthathasshownparticularinterestto
supporttheRamsarConventionssuccessoverthecomingyears.
vi) Ensuredthatascloseto100%aspossibleoftheRamsarConventionslistedpartnersmeet
thesuggestedprerequisitesabove.

4:StrengtheningtheRamsarValueProposition
[20%timeallocation]

Ourvisionisthatby2020,thePartnershipUnithasdeepenedengagementwithkeytargetgroups
identifiedinthecommunicationsworkplan,leadingtoadeeperamoresophisticateddiscussion
aboutwiseuse,andenhancingimplementationoftheConvention.

Inordertopursueouraspirationsfor2020inthisarea,bytheendof2015,wewillhave:
i) Providedthoughtleadershiptostrengthentheagendasofmeetingsandeventsorganizedby
theconvention(e.g.COP,waterreportrelease,etc.)
ii) WorkedcloselywiththeCommunicationsUnitinordertoimproveourmessaging,including
languagethatweusetoexplainwetlands,andrelevancetopartners.
iii) Increasedengagementwithdevelopmentassistanceandministriesofforeignaffairs,where
thiscancreatetwowayvaluefortheConventionandtheContractingParty.
iv) Participatedinand/oralistedspeakeratseveralexternaleventsinordertoamplifythe
opportunitiesthatexistwiththeConvention,makeconnections,andgatherintelligencethat
canbeusefultotheworkofindividualsacrosstheConvention.Toenablefollowupand
sharingrelevantintelligence,wewillhaveprovidedshortwrittenreportstorelevant
colleagues/partners.
v) CoordinatedGroup3.2ofWorldWaterWeek2015ManagingandRestoringEcosystems
forWaterServicesandBiodiversity

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SC4822Partnerships

5:ConventionandSecretariatStrategy
[10%timeallocation]

Ourvisionisbetweennowand2020,thePartnershipUnitwillcontinuetoplayanimportantand
centralroleinsupportingawellmanaged,coherent,relevant,ambitious,andworkablelevelof
focusandprioritywithinthesecretariat,andasitrelatestotheotherbodiesoftheConvention.

Supportingthisstatedvisionisnecessary,inordertodeliverimpactandsecurefunding.

Throughout2015,theHeadofStrategy&Partnershipswillthereforeseektohave:
i) WorkedwiththeSG,DSGandHeadofCommunicationstoprovideoverallmanagement
ii) Offeredinputtothedesignandrunningofvaluableandworthwhileweeklystaffmeetings
iii) Providedfeedbackandinputtosupportandhelpimprovequalityofworkacrossthe
organization
iv) SupportedasuccessfulCOP,including,asneeded,incollaborationwiththeFinanceOfficer
tohelpwithCOPfundraising.

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