The Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) through Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in partnership with RAMSAR Secretariat, UNESCO -IHE Institute for Water Education and Wageningen University hold an International Forum on Wetlands:”Wise use, Smart Plans”, from 8th to 12th July 2013.
The Forum is aiming to create new regional and international collaborative initiatives for wetlands management, policy, research and capacity building.
During the official opening of the forum, the Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi stressed that Rwanda, as many other countries have adopted and ratified the Ramsar Convention in order to address the wise and sustainable use of wetlands.
He added that more efforts are needed to apply the norms of the convention and to adopt sustainable practices that catalyze preservation of wetlands’ services.
He reminded participants that in few years ago, Rwanda got lesson on how the implementation of RAMSAR norms leads to quick achievements in wetland preservation and wise use.
Therefore, he thanked Government of Rwanda and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for joint efforts in inventorying of all wetlands and their exploitation zoning. Rugezi Wetland was given as an example where its restoration was successfully made.
On the other hand, The Secretary General of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Mr. Anada Tiega said that understanding and recognizing the multifaceted interactions between wetlands and land use options is a prerequisite for making decision on meaning for actions to allow wetlands to perform their functions and provide goods and services to sustain human life.
The Forum brings together technical experts from different countries, Ramsar Convention Focal points, researchers and key Rwandan stakeholders to explore new perspectives for better wetland management in the face of human needs for development, food and water security.
It is expected that at the end of this forum new communication strategies, policy briefs, research plans and capacity building for wetlands management will be provided as output.