The UAE is set to host the 13th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Dubai in 2018.

The General Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands made the announcement during a plenary session of more than 800 representatives from 160 countries in Punta del Este, Uruguay attending the 12th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP12) recently.

The assembly approved the new strategic plan to guide national and international actions to conserve and wisely use wetlands in the next triennium (2016 to 2018).

Mariam Mohammed Saeed Hareb, acting assistant undersecretary, Water Resources and Nature Conservation Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water, said: “The UAE’s decision to host COP13 affirms our support for the Convention at the regional and international levels. Wetlands have caught the attention of the government in line with UAE Vision 2021’s emphasis on conserving our rich natural environment and protecting these fragile ecosystems from urbanisation and human activities.”

The participation of the UAE in the conference comes in line with its commitment to the convention and affirms the important role played by the country at the regional and international levels.

Hareb emphasised the importance of strengthening joint cooperation among countries in promoting and developing plans and programs for wetland management.

She noted that the UAE’s presence in the conference reflects its commitment to the international Ramsar Convention, which the country joined in 2007.

The relevance of concerted international and regional efforts to protect wetland environments in conserving biological diversity was also underscored, which will reflect positively on the conditions of these systems and promote the values and services and the economic, social and environmental benefits they offer.

She also pointed out the importance of the coastal wetlands, mangroves, salt marshes and tidal flats characterizing the UAE’s marine and coastal environments.

The conference further discussed the impact of climate change on wetlands and the vital role of these areas in reducing carbon levels and absorption and ultimately reducing the adverse effects of climate change.

The importance of spreading awareness and education on wetlands, the benefits of fostering an appreciation of ecosystems in local communities, and the strengthening of cooperation among stakeholders to maintain wetlands was also emphasised.

Moreover, the conference tackled the vital role of wetlands in resolving the global scarcity of water, highlighting how these areas constitute sustainable solutions for conserving natural resources such as water and food for human consumption and other uses.

The participants also addressed the role of wetlands in mitigating natural disasters such as desertification, land degradation and hurricanes, as well as the importance of organising programmes to diminish the effects of climate change through wetlands that thrive on effective carbon storage systems.

A resolution on including Arabic as an official language within the convention as part of a gradual plan in the coming years was also given support.

On the sidelines of the conference, the UAE delegation showcased the most important wetland environments in the region and national initiatives such as an evaluation of the effective management of protected areas in the state; a ‘blue carbon’ project; and an assessment of existing environmental systems.

The group also presented a short film on the importance of coastal wetlands, mangroves, marshes, and salt and tidal flats typical of the country’s marine and coastal environments.

The film showed how these systems store large amounts of carbon and create a natural barrier against storms and sea waves. It also emphasised the unique environmental value of these areas in terms of their biodiversity and renewable natural resources and their contributions to groundwater quality. - TradeArabia News Service