African wetlands were the subject of a regional meeting held recently in Arusha, Tanzania.

More than 150 delegates from the African region met to analyze the problems and challenges they face when implementing the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and discuss regional positions in the lead-up to the Ramsar Convention’s ninth Conference of the Parties (COP-9), which will be held in Uganda in November 2005. The meeting in Arusha, which was held from 4-8 April 2005, ended with agreement on a final statement, “The Arusha Call for African Wetlands.” The statement identifies the challenges faced in achieving the wise use of wetlands in the region and reaffirms African countries’ commitment to the Ramsar Convention and the wetlands component of the action plan for the environment initiative of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). It also calls for greater collaboration between the Ramsar Secretariat, NEPAD, the International Organization Partners, and development agencies. More information.