157 countries participating in Dubai COP13

ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP):Pakistan’s ministerial delegation is participating in the 13th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP13) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at the Festival Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to details, ministerial delegations representing 157 countries are meeting from October 21 to 29 to assess the progress of the Convention, negotiate 26 resolutions and consider emerging issues and priority actions, a press release said.
As many as over 1,300 people are attending the meeting including Contracting Party Delegates, Observers, Observer States and visitors.
The Ramsar Convention’s newly released flagship publication, “The Global Wetland Outlook; State of the World’s Wetlands and their Services to People”, states that the world’s wetlands are declining rapidly, 35 per cent have been lost since 1970; with wetlands disappearing three times faster than forests.
Authors of the report stress the need for immediate action to reverse this trend. The report provides an important resource and road-map for moving forward.
The theme for COP13 “Wetlands for Sustainable Urban Future,” seeks to highlight the great value of wetlands in cities. In populated areas, wetlands protect human life, offering a natural infrastructure to help buffer against the threat of flooding, which has become increasingly common with extreme weather events.
Earlier, during the opening ceremonies, Uruguay, the COP12 host country, handed over the ceremonial Ramsar flag to UAE, transferring the COP Presidency for the next triennium.
Minister of Climate Change and Environment UAE, Dr Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi remarked at the Opening Ceremony as, “Wetlands have received the attention of our government, and hosting this prestigious event confirms our commitment to conserving our natural environment and protecting our ecosystems from urbanization and human activities.”
“We cannot risk losing these valuable ecosystems, as it will have an impact on our lives, society and our future. I hope that this conference will open more doors for greater collaboration, understanding and intervention to preserve and save the world’s wetlands,” he added.
Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention Jorge Rucks, the Chair of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention said, “The Standing Committee is striving to act responsibly and transparently to carry out the mandate entrusted to it. COP13 is a new landmark for action to protect wetlands goals of the Ramsar Convention are closely linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We need to apply scientific knowledge and technology to ensure sustainable protection of wetlands.”
Martha Rojas Urrego, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, opened the meeting saying: “We are at a decisive moment here in Dubai. While tonight is an evening of celebration and yet, while we sit here tonight we know that wetlands are being lost at a rate three times that of forests. Since 1970, 35 percent one third of wetlands have disappeared. The Global Wetlands Outlook which is being released here at COP13 is both a distress signal, and a wake-up call, that urgent action is needed to reverse this trend”.