Anatidae Site Network in the East Asian Flyway Activities in the Site Network Niigata Statement from Ramsar Symposium "Niigata" II, 22-24 November 2001 [ in Japanese ] [ Back ]

Ramsar Symposium "Niigata" II

Ramsar Symposium "Niigata" II was held in Niigata City during November 22-24, 2001 to discuss the protection of migratory birds and the conservation of wetlands. The Symposium started with the keynote address, Wise Use of Wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, by Dr. Satoshi Kobayashi of Kushiro Public University. The Symposium consisted of four sessions (Anatidae Site Network, Activities for Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands, Swans, and Activity Coordination and Information Sharing), an excursion to Toyanogata and Sakata, and a panel discussion.

Approximately 180 people from seven countries attended this symposium, and thirty-three presentations were made on domestic and foreign conservation activities. On the final day, a six-member panel discussion, coordinated by Dr. Manabu Abe, vice president of the Wetlands International - Japan, stimulated discussion among all the participants. The theme of the discussion was Networking to promote wetland conservation in East Asia. The Symposium ended its three-day schedule with approving the Niigata Statement.

Niigata Statement

Celebrating the fifth anniversary of registering Niigata City's Sakata, the tenth site from Japan, on the List of Wetlands of International Importance;

Acknowledging the importance of cooperation and coordination of activities among public administration bodies, NGOs, local residents, and researchers, as recognized during the first Ramsar Symposium held in Niigata in 1996; and

Aiming to further advance the conservation of wetlands in East Asia, including wise use, East Asia Anatidae Site Network, and Japan's Important Wetlands 500;

Ramsar Symposium "Niigata" II was held in Niigata City, during November 22-24, 2001 with the participation of 180 people from seven countries.

The Symposium:

1. Expresses strong concerns towards recent decline of Anatidae populations in East Asia;

2. Encourages all related organizations to participate and support the activities of the East Asia Anatidae Site Network;

3. Acknowledges the fact that rice paddies play important roles as wetlands in Japan and other countries in the Asian region;

4. Recognizes the importance of symbiosis between Anatidae birds and agricultural activities in their habitats;

5. Recognizes the importance of creating feeding environments, as a wise means to live with Anatidae birds, including the effective use of rice paddies and other agricultural fields without relying on artificial feeding;

6. Acknowledges that the active conservation of habitats and the creation of new habitats by restoration are of high priority in avoiding population extinction by disease epidemics;

7. Welcomes the possibility for true cooperation among all related organizations and the development of Citizens' Science, supported by network that is being advanced among NGOs, local residents (including people in agriculture, forestry, and fishery industries), and public administration bodies; and

8. Affirmed the importance of considering the wetlands in this area as cluster, instead of Sakata alone, and practicing their conservation and wise use into the future.

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The "Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway" is a component of the "Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Strategy", and the "Anatidae Site Network in the East Asian Flyway" is a programme of international co-operation to enhance the conservation of the wetlands of international importance for Anatidae (ducks, geese and swans) in the flyway under the "Action Plan". The "Anatidae Working Group" of Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Conservation Committee oversees the implementation of these programmes with technical support from Anatidae Flyway Officer. For further information, please contact the Anatidae Flyway Officer. Posted 20 January 2002, updated 19 May 2004.