Wetlands International - Response Chris Baker Head of and Water Programme The Netherlands Who we are Our long-term vision is that wetlands and water resources are conserved and managed for their full range of values and services, benefiting biodiversity and human well-being. VALUES

In carrying out our work through all our offices and with partners, we maintain the following core values: • Our work is globally relevant • Our work is based on sound science and incorporates traditional knowledge • We work through partnerships and with a wide range of sectors • We respect traditional values • We work in a transparent and accountable way Current Activities Some Key Initiatives

• Support for the Himalayan Initiative through application of the Asian Inventory approach and stakeholder-led catchment management in Bhutan, China, and Nepal (EU Asia Pro Eco)

• Integrated management of wetlands in Ruoergai Plateau and Altai Mountains to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development (EU-China Biodiversity Programme)

• Management strategy and action development, (various Indian State governments): – Wular – – Rudrasagar Lake

• Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (USAID)

• Central Asian Flyway interim coordination (LNV, CMS) Regional Cooperation KYRGYZSTAN UZBEKISTAN

TAJIKISTAN TURKMENISTAN CHINA

Yellow R.

AFGANISTAN

Brahmaputra R.

PAKISTAN NEPAL BHUTAN IRAN

• Support to development of HimalayanBANGLADESH Initiative

INDIA MYANMAR • Regional analyses – Capacity building needs

• Regional tools - Himalayan Wetland Inventory Integrated Water Resource Management

• Policy analysis and synthesis – Catchment, sub-basin level

• Capacity building – Awareness raising - local community and government levels – Technical - water managers

• Knowledge development – Peatland – river flow relationships – Basin – lake relationships

• Planning and decision-support – Linking environmental flows to socio-economic evaluation – Water infrastructure scenario analysis Livelihoods

• Knowledge development • Community consultation • Socio-economic analysis

• Integration into wetland planning and management Climate Change

• Evaluating

– Impact on wetlands

– Wetlands as carbon stores

– Wetlands as tools to support community / ecosystem resilience Waterbird Flyways • Support to establishment of Central Asian Flyway – Central Asian Flyway Action Plan for Migratory Waterbirds and their Habitats

• Coordination of International waterbird census

• Coordinating activities of avian influenza task force Management and restoration

• High altitude peatland restoration; e.g. Ruoergai marshes

• Wetland management planning; e.g. , Loktak Lake

• Support to site designation Future plans and response Priorities : Regional Cooperation

• Himalayan Initiative – Database methodologies on Himalayan Wetlands – Mechanisms and facilities for cooperation, networking and capacity building – Improve knowledge of climate change impacts and of adaptation responses – Devise and promote best practices on Himalayan wetlands management – Develop participatory CEPA programmes – Develop policy support for implementation of wetland conservation

• Support establishment of permanent Central Asian Flyway coordination

• Support establishment of strategy for avian influenza Priorities: National and site level

• Maintain and develop existing programmes

• Promote wetland restoration and management – Selection of priority basins – Development of integrated management plans and implementation support – Capacity building of wetland managers – Establishment of Ruoergai Marsh Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme

• Develop and promote tools and guidelines – Assessment of inter-linkages of livelihood systems within wetlands ecosystem services – Guidelines to manage peatlands for carbon storage – Reduced impact grazing management and peatland rehabilitation techniques – Investigate options for carbon funds to support conservation of peatlands

• Demonstrate livelihood support / improvement / diversification at community level – E.g. ecotourism, sustainable grazing – Promote sustainable incentive schemes

• Monitoring – Establishment of Peatland Assessment and Monitoring Programme – Maintain and develop the International Waterbird Census Partnership • Improve linkages – Knowledge – practice – policy – Existing networks / initiatives “wetlands” – “mountains” [ICIMOD] • Regional • International – Coordination and linkage to regional processes

• Knowledgebase development [ICIMOD and partners] – Corridors and linkages – landscape approach – Agriculture and biodiversity – Livelihood – wetland relationships – Community based management – PES – Developing / sharing best practice - Evidence based

• Broaden partnership [ICIMOD?] – Development agencies – Private sector

• Influencing policy development and implementation – Development sectors – Based on evidence Thanks!