3rd Meeting CoCo-GAP

The Coordinating Committee for Global Action on Peatlands (CoCoGAP) met for the third time on 29-30 October 2004 in Wageningen International Conference Centre, The Netherlands.The tasks entrusted to the CoCo-GAP through Ramsar Resolution VIII.17, adopted by the 8^th Conference of Parties (COP8), are to prepare an implementation plan for global action on peatlands (§ 18), and to produce a report on the progress in implementing the Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands, including recommendations on future priorities, to be submitted to Ramsar COP9 (§ 21).The tasks for the meeting were:

- To bring together the necessary elements for the draft Progress Report that needs to make reference to the seven thematic approaches outlined in the Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands

- To decide on the elements which are to constitute a draft Implementation Plan

- To finalise the texts on Emerging Issues and Recommendations to be annexed to the Progress Report

- To discuss the work programme of CoCo-GAP and ways of proceeding with work leading to COP9 in November 2005 in Kampala, Uganda, and

- To discuss the details of a possible Side Event to be organized during COP9.

In three working groups the introductive, narrative texts for the three groups of key issues were elaborated, covering:

regulation and natural functions of peatlands (drafting lead author: Tatiana Minayeva), including peatlands and climate change, fire as a major issue, peatlands and water regulation,

peatlands for biodiversitypeatlands and people - social values (drafting lead author Marcel Silvius), featuring peatlands and poverty alleviation,

peatlands and their cultural valuesproduction values (drafting lead author Hans Joosten), dealing with peatlands and agriculture, forestry, peat as energy source, peatlands and infrastructural developments.

The working groups further elaborated a list of key recommendations addressed to Contracting Parties (CPs) and other stakeholders suggesting specific actions to be undertaken. They will form part of the “Implementation Plan.” Furthermore, a number of integrating initiatives (programmes and projects) were identified that should form part of a portfolio to illustrate the “Implementation Plan”.

It was agreed that a drafting team of Herbert Diemont, Marcel Silvius, and Hans Joosten should bring together the elements outlined above to form a first complete draft “Progress Report” with the annexes mentioned. Tobias Salathé would then check this draft report and make possible complements from Ramsar’s side before circulating it to all CoCo-GAP members for comments in late November 2004. Comments would need to be included by early December 2004 in order to send this draft document for comments to the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) prior to its 13th meeting on 1-5 February 2005. At this stage the draft progress report will also be sent to all STRP national focal points for comments.

The peatland-related information to be provided by Contracting Parties in their National Reports for COP9 (by 28 February 2005) would subsequently be incorporated into the draft report where necessary, before sending it to the Sub-group of the Standing Committee on COP9, meeting on 1-4 March 2005 in Kampala, Uganda (where COP9 will take place 7-15 November 2005).Subsequently the revised report would be ready for printing in the new series of “Ramsar Technical Reports” and could then be sent to the Parties prior to COP9. It is not yet possible to prepare a resolution in detail because the Ramsar Standing Committee still has to adopt rules on how to handle technical Resolutions for COP9. Tobias Salathé will inform CoCo-GAP members on the exact procedures, once the decisions have been taken.

It was decided to elaborate an illustrative brochure, along the model of the brochure “What’s in water” by the Ramsar Secretariat. This should be used for outreach at different meetings and occasions, and to create a wider awareness of the key peatland issues as outlined in the progress report. Faizal Parish is taking the lead of this project, helped by Tatiana Minayeva, Gerry Hood, Herbert Diemont, and Magnus Brandel. Financing would be provided through the UNEP-GEF project, GPI, and IPS.

It was decided to follow up the idea of having a major “event” during COP9. To attract a maximum of participants, this should probably be coupled with an African cultural event and focusing also on African peatlands. Piet-Louis Grundling will lead the preparations for this event, helped by Marcel Silvius, Gerry Hood, Excellent Hachileka, Jan Sliva, and Faizal Parish. Tobias Salathé will provide information on available infrastructure, logistics, and Ugandan focal points as soon as available.Furthermore, the holding of a workshop, probably to take place before COP9 was agreed on a proposal by Jan Sliva. Specific participants would need to be invited for this, IPS could provide some money. (After the meeting it became clear that IUCN will not organise a Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) as they did prior to earlier COPs. Thus, this organisational framework will not be available prior to COP9 in Kampala.)

The meeting was closed by TS at 16h20, thanking all for their active participation. And thanking specifically Herbert for his organisation work, including the evening on the top of the Wageningse Berg with drinks, music, food, and cigars.Based on draft minutes by Tobias Salthé