Experts Call for More Protection of Wetlands in Global Conference in Uganda
Posted on: Thursday, 10 November 2005, 09:00 CST
Experts call for more protection of wetlands in global conference in Uganda
KAMPALA, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Experts, conservationists and policy makers from 146 countries, international, governmental and non- governmental organizations meeting at a global wetlands conference in Uganda's Kampala called for more efforts to protect wetlands, warning the continued loss of it will result in further degradation in human-well being especially for the poor in less developed countries.
Speaking at the opening of the plenary session of the conference organized under the auspices of the Ramsar Convention on Wednesday, the Ugandan Minister of Water, Lands and Environment, Kahinda Otafire said that there is need for more effort to conserve wetlands which are a source of livelihood for some people.
The Secretary General of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, Peter Bridgewater said that only eight percent of the global implementation targets listed in the 2003/08 Strategic Plan of the contacting parties have been achieved even though the parties are 50 percent through the period covered by the plan.
Bridgewater said it is likely that 36 percent of the plan will not be achieved at all, with a further 33 percent unlikely to be achieved.
He said the remaining 23 percent will possibly be achieved before the end of the plan.
The conservationists warned that the failure to conserve wetlands will perpetuate inequitable and unsustainable growth, leading to environments which are less healthy for people and deepening poverty.
They observed that wetland conversion, over exploitation, pollution and climate change are the key drivers which threaten wetland existence.
They said that these threats require global solutions adding that guaranteeing the continued provision of wetland services will help alleviate hunger and poverty.
The eight-day conference which started on Tuesday aims at devising and analysing possible ways of the proper use of wetlands to fight poverty.
The theme of the conference, which is the first of its kind in Africa is "Wetlands and Water Supporting Life Sustaining Livelihoods."
Ramsar member countries meet every three years to assess the progress of the convention and wetland conservation to date, share knowledge and experience on technical issues, and plan their own work for the next triennium.
Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS
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