16 July 2012: The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Working Group signed two Resolutions of Cooperation (ROCs) – with the Secretariat of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), and the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) – to create awareness and enhance capacity for understanding change in Arctic biodiversity.

The signing of the two ROCs took place during the 11th Meeting of the Conference of Contracting Parties (COP 11) to the Ramsar Convention, in Bucharest, Romania, on 12 July 2012. With the increasing threats to Arctic biodiversity, the ROCs aim to contribute to building and sharing knowledge, creating awareness and enhancing capacity for understanding change in the Arctic ecosystem.

The ROC with AEWA will strengthen international cooperation and build capacity on the conservation of migratory waterbird species within the African-Eurasian flyways. The initiative also increases the synergies between the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and CAFF.

The ROC with Ramsar recognizes the mutual importance of Arctic wetlands to both organizations, and highlights potential opportunities for capacity building and awarness raising activities. [AEWA Press Release] [CAFF Press Release] [Ramsar Press Release] [IISD RS Meeting Coverage] [Resolution of Cooperation between CAFF and AEWA]