ICRI Side Event at Ramsar COP 10
"ICRI International Year of the Reef"

Celebrating International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008
4 November 2008 from 13:15 to 14:45
Room 605 (lunch will be provided)

The purpose of the side event is to present the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), its work (relevant to mangroves) and improve the collaboration between "mangrove" countries and ICRI. During the event, some countries will present their Ramsar sites with coral reef and some of the management and education actions. the link between mangroves and coral reefs will be highlighted, and some countries (with coral and mangroves) will present their work. An overview of the ICRI International Year of the Reef 2008, a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability will close the event.

A newly published booklet entitled "Economic Values of Coral Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses - A Global Compilation 2008" will be available at the event.

Agenda

  • Welcoming, opening and presentation of the International Coral Reef Initiative (USA)
  • Remarks from the Ramsar secretariat (Maria Rivera)
  • Country "case studies" - Presentation of the Ramsar sites with coral reef and a description of the conservation and education actions
    • Mexico (as the current co-chair of ICRI), Dr. Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, National Commissioner of CONANP
    • France, Emmanuel Thiry, ministere de l'Ecologie, de l'Energie, du Developpement durable et de l'Amenagement du territoire
    • Japan, Ms. Fumiko Nakao or Mr. Naoki Amako, Ministry of the Environment
    • Jamaica, Ainsley Henry, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)
    • Brief presentation of the International Year of the Reef campaign (Francis Staub)
  • Questions and answers

Handouts:

  • The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI)

    The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is a unique public-private partnership that brings together governments, international organizations, scientific entities, and non-governmental organizations committed to reversing the global degradation of coral reefs and related ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, by promoting the conservation and sustainable use of these resources for future generations.

    Since its establishment in 1995, ICRI has been a driving force behind scientific, governmental and civil society efforts to protect coral reefs and related ecosystems. The ICRI approach is to provide a platform for information sharing, as well as mobilize governments and a wide range of other stakeholders in an effort to improve management practices, increase capacity and political support, and share information on the health of these fragile ecosystems. In particular, ICRI aims to catalyze action that will:

    • Improve management practices
    • Increase capacity and political support; and
    • Share information on the health of these ecosystems.

    The secretariat of ICRI is currently co-host by the governments of the U.S. and Mexico. Find out more by visiting www.icriforum.org the official website of ICRI.