The Ramsar Convention Manual.pdf

1.8 Further interpretation of the commitments
Over the years, the Conference of the Contracting Parties has interpreted and elaborated upon these four major obligations
included within the text of the treaty, and it has developed guidelines for assisting the Parties in their implementation. These
guidelines are published in the Ramsar Handbook series and on the Ramsar Web site.
Although Resolutions do not have the same legal force as commitments specified in the convention text itself, the Contracting
Parties further spelt out their interpretation of their responsibilities in Resolution 5.1 (1993) of the Conference of the Parties
("Framework for the Implementation of the Ramsar Convention"), as follows:
(a)
Conservation of wetlands
□ to designate wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance;
□ to formulate and implement planning so as to promote conservation of listed sites;
□ to advise the Secretariat of any change in the ecological character of listed sites;
□ to compensate for any loss of wetland resources if a listed wetland is deleted or restricted;
□ to use Ramsar criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance;
□ to use the Ramsar datasheet and classification system for describing listed sites;
□ to consider appropriate management measures after designation and, where appropriate, to use the Montreux Record and
[Ramsar Advisory Mission mechanisms];
□ to formulate and implement planning so as to promote the wise use of wetlands;
□ to adopt and apply the Guidelines for Implementation of the Wise Use Concept, notably as regards elaboration and
implementation of national wetland policies, and the Additional Guidance on Wise Use;
□ to make environmental impact assessments before transformations of wetlands;
□ to establish nature reserves on wetlands and provide adequately for their wardening;
□ to increase waterfowl populations through management of appropriate wetlands;
□ to make national wetland inventories which will identify major sites for wetland biodiversity;
□ to train personnel competent in wetland research, management, and wardening.
(b) Promotion of international cooperation in wetland conservation
□ to promote conservation of wetlands by combining far-sighted national policies with coordinated international action;
□ to consult with other Contracting Parties about implementing obliga-tions arising from the Convention, especially
concerning shared wet-lands and water systems and shared species; □ to
promote wetland conservation concerns with development aid agencies;
□ to establish wetland restoration projects.
(c)
Fostering communication about wetland conservation
□ to encourage research and exchange of data;
□ to produce national reports for Conferences of the Parties;
□ to increase the number of Contracting Parties.
(d) Supporting the work of the Convention
□ to convene and attend Conferences of the Parties;
□ to adopt the Paris Protocol and Regina Amendments;
□ to make financial contributions to the Convention budget and to the Ramsar Small Grants Fund.
1.9 Reporting
One extremely important part of the Parties' responsibilities, suggested in the text and subsequently confirmed by COP
decisions, has to do with reporting on the implementation of the Convention within their territories. The Parties report on their
progress in meeting their commitments under the Convention by submitting triennial National Reports (§3.1) to the Conference
of the Contracting Parties - these are prepared following a format adopted by the Parties which follows the Strategic Plan of the
Convention, and they become part of the public record. In addition, under Article 3.2 of the treaty
12