The Ingenieur Vol. 65 Water Power | Page 55

●● ●● ●● ●● facilitating the work of STRP, including organising and administering its meetings and maintaining the STRP Workspace; fostering opportunities for collaboration with other conventions, international organis ations (including f inancial organis ations), inter- Government al institutions, and national and international NGOs, and facilitating such collaboration as required; facilitating linkages between potential experts within countries, regions and globally, including indigenous peoples and local communities; and identifying the needs of potential audiences and thematic priorities in different countries or regions to suggest to the Parties for their consideration. RAMSAR SITE INFORMATION SYSTEM There are a total of 2,218 Ramsar Sites worldwide covering over 214 million ha. RAMSAR 4th STRATEGIC PLAN (2016 – 2024) Monitoring and evaluation across all the four goals below: Strategic Goal 1: Addressing the drivers of wetland loss and degradation; Strategic Goal 2: Effectively conserving and managing the Ramsar Site Network; Strategic Goal 3: Ensure the wise use of all wetlands; and Operational Goal 4: Enhancing implementation of the 3 strategic goals Vision “Wetlands are conserved, wisely used and restored, and their benefits are recognized and valued by all” a. Supporting countries to achieve wise use of wetlands alongside development b. Ramsar’s approach is designed around four Strategic Goals: i. Addressing the drivers of wetland loss & degradation ii. Conserving and managing Ramsar Sites iii. Using wetlands wisely iv. Enhancing implementation of the Strategic Plan Strategic Goal 1: Addressing the drivers of wetland loss & degradation Target 1: Wetland benefits and ecosystem services feature in national/ local policy strategies and plans relating to key sectors such as water, energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, urban development and infrastructure; Target 2: Water use sustainability is improved while respecting ecosystem and basin requirements; Target 3: Public and private sectors have taken steps to apply guidelines and good practices for wise use of water and wetlands; Target 4: Invasive alien species and pathways are identified and prioritized; priority invasive species are controlled or eradicated; Target 5: The ecological character of Ramsar sites is maintained, through effective planning and management Target 6: There is a significant increase in the Ramsar site network, in particular underrepresented types of wetlands; Target 7: Sites that are at risk of loss of ecological character have their threats addressed; Target 8: National wetland inventories have been completed; Target 9: The wise use of wetlands is strengthened through integrated water resource management at river basin levels; Target 10: Wetland services and benefits are widely demonstrated and documented; and Target 11: Restoration is in progress or completed in degraded wetlands; Target 12: Sustainable fisheries, agriculture and ecotourism are expanded, c ontribu ting to bio diver si t y conservation and human livelihoods; Target 13: Scientific and technical guidance at global and regional levels is developed on relevant topics; Target 14: Ram s ar Reg ional Ini tiative s are reinforced with the active involvement and support of the Parties in each region; 53