Every three years, the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands brings together delegates from the 168 members countries and observers (international organizations, NGOs and wetland experts) to agree on a programme of work and a budget for the next triennium and adopt guidance on a range of ongoing and emerging wetland-related issues. Ramsar COP12 will be held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 1 to 9 June 2015, under the theme “Wetlands for our future.” On the agenda, the main feature is the approval of the 4th Ramsar Strategic Plan (2016-2021) which should guide the work of the wetlands community worldwide during the next six years.
For more information
On Ramsar COP12
MedWet at Ramsar COP12
The Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) welcomes the Mediterranean community and all other delegates and observers attending Ramsar COP12 at the Mediterranean Agora located in a building across the street from the Conference Centre hosting the COP.
Inspired by the vibrant Agorae in ancient Greek city states, the Mediterranean Agora is a place of knowledge and exchange, promoting cooperation and recognizing the rich variety of cultures. It is also a place to discuss, to relax and share good moments, in the best Mediterranean style!
The heart of the Agora
The heart of the Agora is an exhibition of thirty colorful posters on the theme “Our wetlands, our people”. Celebrating the beauty of Mediterranean wetlands and their people, the exhibition presents each of the 27 MedWet countries and entities, and posters are reproduced in postcards to take away.
After the COP, the exhibition should travel around the Mediterranean, with explanatory texts in the different national languages.
The Programme
The Agora also offers an interesting programme of presentations, film screenings and discussions.
The Agora will be open to the local public at specific times in recognition of the hospitality of the Uruguayan people and will offer guided visits to local school children.
A MedWet publication
MedWet has published “Working for wetlands in the Mediterranean – Progress and challenges” with an analysis of 20 National Reports submitted by Mediterranean countries to the Ramsar Secretariat on the occasion of COP 12. The publication, in English and French, is available upon request.
Download the publication in English
Download the publication in French
A MedWet cartoon
For disclose at the Ramsar COP, MedWet has also produced a three minutes cartoon depicting the priceless services that healthy wetlands can provide despite they are facing many challenges in the Mediterranean region.
The cartoon will be presented at the formal opening of the Mediterranean Agora, on June 1st at Punta del Este.
Special thanks to
The Mediterranean Agora has been organized with the invaluable support of the Uruguayan NGO Organization for the Conservation of Cetaceans (OCC).
MedWet also acknowledge with thanks the support of the national and local Uruguayan authorities and the important contribution made to the Mediterranean Agora project by communications consultant Corinne Brunois.
The Mediterranean Agora has been declared as an Event of Cultural Interest by the city of Punta del Este and the authorities of the Maldonado Department.
Special grants to organize the Agora were received from WWF International and the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE).
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