Tehran – Attending the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), the Iranian delegation has achieved notable results and strengthened the country’s international status in environmental sector, particularly in wetland conservation.
COP15 to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands took place in Zimbabwe’s city of Victoria Falls from July 23rd to 31st. It was held under the theme of “Protecting wetlands for our common future.” COP15 has adopted a new strategic plan for the treaty’s fifth action plan, 2025-2034.
His appointment to represent the South and West Asia region on the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee was the most important achievement of the country.
It contributes to strengthening the country’s regional role in environmental decision-making.
The committee includes representatives from 18 countries selected from various geographical regions around the world, host countries for upcoming convention conferences, and partner international organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Wetlands International.
Iran will play an important role in inter-session decision making, monitor the performance of the Ramsar Secretariat, manage financial resources, and develop draft resolutions for future meetings.
Iran was elected Vice-Chair of COP15 by the Standing Committee of the Wetlands Treaty. More importantly, the country will serve as co-chair of the Strategic Planning Working Group for 2025 2034 and play an important role in shaping the future of the Ramsar Congress.
The Strategic Planning Working Group will be responsible for drafting a new strategic plan that outlines the key goals, goals and actions of the Ramsar Convention over the next decade.
Recognizing the successful activities and measures of the Iran-based Ramsar Regional Centres in West and Central Asia, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat renewed the Centre’s mission for another three years, reaffirming its support for the Centre.
On the first day of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, three Iranian cities, including Babor in northern Mazandaran, Kiashaal in northern Gilan, and Gandoman in southwestern Chaharmahar Baktiari province, received a certificate of urban accreditation for Wetlands.
The country has also become a member of the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC). The committee plays an important role in evaluating and recommending cities for recognition as wetland cities.
Additionally, Iman Ebrahimi, founder and CEO of the Avayebir Bird Conservation Association, the first bird conservation NGO in central Iran, was awarded the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award, the Young Wetland Champion.
This achievement was presented at the 64th conference of the Ramsar Convention, held at the Secretariat Headquarters of the Grand in Switzerland from January 20th to 24th.
The Young Wetland Champion Award was established to acknowledge and celebrate the exemplary efforts of individuals or groups aged 18 to 30 for their conservation, wise use and contributions to the recovery of the wetlands.
In the event’s side job, an Iranian delegation led by Ahmad Reza Rahijanzadeh, a deputy of the Marine and Wetlands of the Ministry of Environment, met with Musonda Mumba, the secretary general of the Wetlands Treaty.
During the meeting, officials discussed the importance of preserving Hamoon, the Iranian-Azim wetland, particularly Hamoon, the wetlands, which are important wetlands on the Iranian-Iraq border, an Iranian-Azim wetland, which is a major wetland on the Iranian-Iraq border.
Officials also held meetings with delegations from Zimbabwe, Oman and China.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Evelyn Nrob called for the promotion of joint efforts between the two countries in his meeting with Rahijanzadeh.
Emphasizing Zimbabwe’s extensive experience in wildlife conservation, who is also the president of COP15, Ndlovu has proposed to develop a joint effort on water management and Asian cheetah conservation by sharing scientific and practical expertise.
Rahijanzadeh welcomed the proposal on behalf of the DOE, explaining in detail the country’s environmental measures.
The two staff members signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and then agreed to place it on the top agenda of the two organizations.
At separate meetings between Oman and the Chinese delegation, authorities discussed oil pollution, ship ballast water discharge, mangrove forest restoration, wetland monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and green investment. They also agreed to sign a memorandum to encourage cooperation in addressing the above issues.
The Ramsar Treaty on Wetlands was signed in 1971 in Ramsar city, Iran. This intergovernmental treaty provides a framework for international cooperation on wetland conservation. The conference was officially enacted in 1975.
Since then, many countries have become contractual parties to the treaty. Saudi Arabia is the 173rd one.
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