Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

1 – 10 September 2016, Hawaii

The 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress is the largest gathering of environmental policy makers since the Paris Climate Agreement and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, and presents a major opportunity to start putting these deals into action.

Thousands of top scientists, academics and business and political leaders from around the world will present the latest conservation advances, tools and action during the Congress Forum.

Over 1,500 sessions will cover the most pressing and sometimes controversial topics including ocean protection and marine plastics, wildlife trafficking and biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and resilience, and the economic and social impacts of transitioning, or not transitioning, to more sustainable development paths.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands will be taking part in numerous events, meetings and high-level dialogues. The delegation led by Ramsar’s Secretary General, Martha Rojas-Urrego, will be taking this opportunity to engage with the world’s leaders, governments, NGOs, grassroots organizations and other stakeholders to work towards the Convention’s overall mission to reverse the loss of wetlands and underline wetlands’ vital contribution to world’s sustainable development.

To receive daily updates on Ramsar activities at the Congress follow us on  Twitter (hashtag #IUCNcongress), Facebook and our website. Photos will be available for viewing here.        

Ramsar will be participating in or organizing the following events 

*New Event* " Mainstreaming Wetlands and Ecosystems Services in Extractive Industry in West Africa " - The Africa Team of the Secretariat is partnering with the Business and Biodiversity Programme of IUCN to develop guidelines for mainstreaming wetlands and ecosystems services in extractive industry in West Africa. This first technical consultation meeting will bring together government officials, IUCN members and staff and Ramsar staff including new Secretary General Martha Rojas-Urrego. For more information please contact Paul Ouedraogo, Senior Advisor for Africa; ouedraogo@ramsar.org. / event information

Types of events explained:

High Level Dialogues

The High Level Dialogues will feature internationally recognized experts, politicians and CEOs in a series of moderated public debates that tackle the most strategic issues related to conservation and sustainable development. With high media exposure, and innovative techniques, these 2 hour sessions will offer strategic thinking to guide the implementation of practical solutions for a sustainable future.

Pavilions

The Pavilions provide a great opportunity to learn about the most innovative partnerships that will drive conservation globally in the coming few years.

Conservation Cases

Conservation Cases will offer a more in-depth approach to a specific conservation issue, facilitating a more complete understanding of the broader picture, factors and actors related to this issue.

Knowledge Café

The two-hour roundtable discussions of the Knowledge Café will explore common areas of interest, how to build on each other’s experience and discuss possible partnerships or joint ventures.