The 10th Conference of the Contracting Parties of the Ramsar Convention, an international environmental event, was held in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, from October 28 to November 4, with the participation of 2,288 representatives and NGOs from 140 member countries. In conjunction with the formal discussion sessions and informational forums, the event offered a wide variety of cultural programs, along with field trips to nearby Wetland areas-Upo Wetland and Junam reservoir-which attracted some 200,000 participants, including conference attendees, visitors, and local residents. In total, an estimated 500,000 people took part in the various activities.

Ramsar Convention
The formal name of the Ramsar Convention is “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat.” In a simplified form it is commonly referred to as “The Convention on Wetlands.” The primary goal of the convention is to preserve wetlands all over the world through international collaboration that seeks to publicize the economic, cultural, and environment value of wetlands, and to reverse the recent loss of these vital areas.
By facilitating processes essential to a smooth functioning of the ecological system, wetlands are an invaluable source of environmental benefits for humankind. However, a relentless onslaught of development projects in every corner of the world, in the form of farmland development, flood control measures, and land reclamation, have contributed to a drastic loss of about one-half of the world’s wetlands areas. In response to this alarming trend, concerned countries concluded a multilateral treaty for the conservation of wetlands-the Ramsar Convention-that calls for all signatories to support cooperative efforts to protect their respective wetlands areas.
The treaty was initially adopted at a gathering of 18 countries held in Ramsar, Iran, on February 2, 1971. The Convention requires each of its 158 member nations to designate at least one wetlands area within its territory for inclusion on the List of Wetlands of International Importance. As for Korea, which signed on as the treaty’s 101st Contracting Party in July 1997, it has designated 11 wetlands for inclusion on the official list: Yong, Upo, and Jangdo wetlands; Suncheonman Bay, Mulyoung-ari, Doowoong, and Moojechi wetlands; Muan tidal flats; Ganghwado buttercup colony; and, wetlands of Mt. Odaesan and Muljangori.
In accordance with the Conference of the Ramsar Convention, the Contracting Parties convene a session once every three years to discuss each member’s environmental measures and agenda, and to draw up new implementation programs. Following the inaugural conference held in Iran, the subsequent gatherings have discussed a wide variety of environmental issues concerning the preservation of wetlands.

Changwon Declaration
The plenary sessions included the discussion of 33 agendas, along with the adoption of 32 draft resolutions, related to such matters as “enhancing the biodiversity of rice paddies as wetland systems,” “promoting international cooperation for the protection of water bird migratory routes,” “climate change and wetlands,” and “wetlands and bio-fuel.” Of particular note, the resolution on the biodiversity of rice paddies proposed that rice paddies be included on the List of Wetlands to heighten awareness of their ecological value and to enhance their biodiversity through sustainable farming practices.
The “Changwon Declaration on Human Well-being and Wetlands,” which was drafted by the Korean delegation and finalized after incorporating the input of various specialists, was undoubtedly the highlight of the conference proceedings. The Declaration called on relevant government authorities to formulate strategic programs for the active management of wetlands, recognizing their significance as “natural water infrastructure,” and to deal with the consequences of climate change. Moreover, the Declaration also serves as a guide for the international community to systematically undertake concerted efforts to ensure preservation of the world’s precious wetlands areas.
During the plenary sessions, special presentations addressed an array of themes, including “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Korea’s Wetlands,” “Wetlands and Efforts to Alleviate Poverty,” and “Integrated Water Management-Prospects and Challenges of the Next Decade.” In addition, 54 supplemental events, such as the “International Forum of Wetlands Governance,” and 19 symposiums on such subjects as the “International Symposium on East Asian Coastal Wetlands” were conducted, for the purpose of focusing attention on environmental concerns about climate change, biodiversity, and routes of migratory birds.

Environmental Festival
On November 2, field trips were conducted to eight destinations, including two of Korea’s designated wetlands areas, Upo Wetland and Nakdonggang River estuary, along with tours of ecological sites and visitor attractions for learning about Korean culture and history. In conjunction with the conference, additional tour programs were organized for the event participants, such as “morning wetlands walk” and “outing for accompanying persons.”
At the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center (CECO), the main venue of the conference, the participating countries sponsored exhibition booths to introduce their wetlands activities and conservation programs. Korea’s booth, entitled “Wetlands and IT Technology,” provided information about its efforts to adopt IT applications for the protection of wetlands.
For participants and visitors, a variety of cultural activities, performing arts events, and hands-on experiences were presented at outdoor venues of the CECO. A Wetlands Green Growth Exhibition Hall, adjacent to the CECO, housed myriad exhibitions and displays, set up by local governments in Korea and sister cities of Changwon to make known the importance of wetlands conservation. At the CECO plaza, a variety of Korean cultural exhibitions and performing arts events were staged, which attracted some 20,000 visitors on a daily basis. This included a traditional market area that offered popular foods and demonstrations of the everyday life of long-ago Koreans.

Sustainability Measures
The 10th Ramsar Conference was noteworthy for its adoption of environment-friendly practices. For example, a reusable cup was provided to each participant to curtail the consumption of paper cups, while the volume of paper handouts was reduced by making information available in the form of USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices. At hotels, instead of supplying rooms with disposable items, they would be distributed to guests upon request. Likewise, rather than automatically changing the bed sheets and towels daily, changes were made when requested. In addition, natural gas and hybrid vehicles were used for transportation, while people were encouraged to recycle PET containers. These environment-friendly efforts were highly praised by conference participants as practical measures to promote environmental sustainability.
Carbon Offset Fund: The conference also included the launch of a Carbon Offset Fund campaign. This program seeks to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint and to contribute to a fund to help curtail global carbon emissions. An exhibition booth provided detailed information about this fund, which will be administered by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat to support the reduction of greenhouse gases in developing countries and the promotion of wetlands conservation projects.
Children’s Conference: Prior to the opening ceremony, Changwon city held a Children’s Ramsar Convention in order to educate the future guardians of our wetlands. Students from Korea and previous host countries of the Ramsar Convention (Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Australia, Costa Rica, Spain, and Uganda) took part in various informational activities and programs, which helped to explain how the wetlands serve as the earth’s respiratory system.

Overall Evaluation
The 10th Conference of the Ramsar Convention was the largest of this event, in terms of the number of participants and draft resolutions (32) that were adopted. Along with being lauded by the participants for its successful implementation, the conference served to elevate the status of Korea as an environmentally sensitive country, as a result of various efforts to publicize its nationwide “Green Growth” strategies and the general public’s high level of environmental awareness. Moreover, a noteworthy outcome of this international event was its ability to focus domestic attention on the importance of preserving the valuable wetlands in Korea.
A key factor behind the event’s overwhelming success was the indispensable contributions of volunteer workers. The conference volunteers attended comprehensive training sessions that included general information as well as technical knowledge related to their particular duties. Over the course of the conference, participants continuously expressed their personal appreciation for the thoughtful assistance and enthusiasm of the event volunteers.
Public awareness of the value of wetlands was noticeably heightened by the conference, as evidenced by the widespread popularity of the wetland eco-tours. During the conference period, the Upo Wetland and Junam reservoir areas were toured by 4,000 to 5,000 visitors on weekdays, and upward of 130,000 people on the weekends.