Nermin WafaHead of Programs & Activities

DivisionEnvironomental Sector

LAS

The economic valuation of The economic valuation of wetlands in the Arab countrieswetlands in the Arab countries

International Symposium “Water and Wetlands in the

Mediterranean “ Agadir, Morocco on Februrary 6-8,

2012

The total economic value of 63 million hectares of wetland around the world is

estimated at $3.4 billion per year.

Based on the sample of 89 case-studies, wetlands in Asia have the absolute highest

economic value at $1.8 billion per year.

Schuyt and Brander (2004) The economic values of the world’s wetlands. WWF

8th Meeting of COP (2002)

Resolution VIII.1: Annex : Guidelines for the allocation and management of water for maintaining the ecological functions of wetlands. Economic valuation provides a potential decision-support framework

8th Meeting of COP (2002)

Resolution VIII.1: Annex : Guidelines for the allocation and management of water for maintaining the ecological functions of wetlands. Economic valuation provides a potential decision-support framework

9th Meeting of COP (2005)

Resolution IX.2: Future implementation of scientific and technical aspects of the Convention

Encourages parties to work with (UNEP), (UNDP), NGOs and others to: undertake assessments of the economic, social, cultural and livelihood values of wetlands with a view to enhancing sustainable livelihoods utilizing a wise use approach;

9th Meeting of COP (2005)

Resolution IX.2: Future implementation of scientific and technical aspects of the Convention

Encourages parties to work with (UNEP), (UNDP), NGOs and others to: undertake assessments of the economic, social, cultural and livelihood values of wetlands with a view to enhancing sustainable livelihoods utilizing a wise use approach;

7th Meeting of COP (1999)

Ramsar Convention Work Plan 2000-2002. Operational Objective 2.4: To provide economic evaluations of the benefits and functions of wetlands for environmental planning purposes.

7th Meeting of COP (1999)

Ramsar Convention Work Plan 2000-2002. Operational Objective 2.4: To provide economic evaluations of the benefits and functions of wetlands for environmental planning purposes.

6th Meeting of COP (1996)

Resolution VI.23: Encourage more studies of the economic value of water within wetlands, through dissemination of the forthcoming Convention publication on Economic valuation of wetlands: guidelines for policy makers and planners

6th Meeting of COP (1996)

Resolution VI.23: Encourage more studies of the economic value of water within wetlands, through dissemination of the forthcoming Convention publication on Economic valuation of wetlands: guidelines for policy makers and planners

In November 2009:CAMRE at their meeting in Marsa Alam, Egypt.

Cairo Statement formally approved

In June 2009:

‘Cairo Statement’

submit recommendations for the implementation of the Ramsar Convention

in the Arab Region.

BackgroundBackground

In June 2010:Muscat action plan

implement programs

One of these programs was execution of the study on economic

valuation of wetlands in Arab region. 

In December 2010:CAMRE Approved the Arab regional Statement for Action on the 2020 biodiversity targets , funding Strategies &innovative Financial Mechanisms

Inviting /UNEP/Teeb to undertake an Arab Teeb Initiative to evaluate the

economic values of biodiversity & Ecosystem

Services

In February, 2011:Meetings with expertise

from Ramsar, IUCN ….etc

In May, 2011:A questionnaire was

developed during Fujairah  workshop

1. Preparing for workshop include experts in this field and national focal points in the Arab countries.

2.  Seek funding from the GEF or UNEP for pilot project to evaluate the feasibility of a bigger project  .

3. Working for financing from the World Bank and interested Regional & Int Donors

The results indicated that the participants are willing

to hold the study in sites with environmental and economical importance.

The 16th Meeting of the Scientific & Technical Review Panel (STRP) 

In December 2011:CAMRE at their meeting in

Egypt.

called on Ramsar Secretariat to hold a regional workshop on the economic valuation of wetlands & Arab preparatory Meeting to

Ramsar COP 10 (june –romania 2012)

submitted to Arab Ministers of Water

& Arab Ministers of Tourism

To take into consideration the importance of wetlands in their planning program

Priorities for choosing sites

Methods of obtaining data

Analysing & presenting data

Development scenarios for the economics of wetlands

Publishing Report

The Economic value of some The Economic value of some wetland in the Arab countrieswetland in the Arab countries

"Proposal for Pilot study" "Proposal for Pilot study"

Objectives of study

The maintenance of biodiversity in wetlands

Putting the economic value of wetlands in the subject of consideration by the decision-makers in the development of

plans of wetlands

This study could be a model study to the economic values of the components of various ecosystems (desert - forest –

marine ....... Etc) Raising awarness of policy makers on the economic

significance of tourism as one of the main services of wetlands

Raising awarness of Water Officials on the economic value of water in wetlands

Guiding local communities & Small – Medium Business to the Economic revenue of wetlands

Help officials in the management and development of policies in improvement of human well-being

Helping Ngo’s to play a lead role in conservation of wetlands

Expected Outputs

Training of new generations of Arab specialists in this important field. Training also involves awareness

seminars on results from research efforts helping

The project will be pilot study and lead to the feasibility of a bigger project

The project produced report valuating economic values of different types of wetlands in different Arab

countries

Capacity building in environmental economic aspects of wetlands is incorporated into the project.

Applying environmental economics valuation for a range of different stakeholders from local to national level, across government, NGOs, private sector, and

academia.

Encouraging non- member Arab States to join RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands

A guide to Sustainable Tourism

Tourism Businesses can promote and support Wetland biodiversity by:

supporting biodiversity conservation by gov. agencies and Ngos through practical actions, including financial contributions, ex: through sponsership and voluntary donations.

Obtaining all food stuffs, and other biological resources used in tourism activities from sustainably managed sources

Reducing pollution from tourism, particulary by ensuring that all liquid & Solid wastes are properly treated and disposed of in ways that do not result in damage to biodiversity & by minimizing use of pesticides , fertilisers and toxic chemicals

- Using the Communications and marketing strengths of the tourism sector to raise awarness of tourists and destination authorities of the value of biodiversity and the steps they can take to protect it .

- Ensuring that no threatened or endangered species are put at risk from tourism activities or enter the tourism supply chain ( especially as food or souvenirs)

Ensuring that no invasive alien species are introduced through tourism activities

Income Benefits for long term conservation Measuresthe wetland iteslf can benefit directly when the income from tourism (entry fees , local products, etc,,) is used directly to conservative measure thus linking tourism with long term conservation

Local communities and local gov. can and often do benefit in terms of income and employment.

Well managed tourism in and around wetlands can bring significant benefits both economic and environmental,

Economic Benefits for Locals & Government.

globally economic activity generated by travel

and tourism represents around 5% of gdp 6-7%

of the world’s jobs.

Half of international tourists

Travelling to wetlands

Particularly to coastal areas

By 2020 it will grow around 1.6 billion

tourists expenditures linked to wetlands

amounts 925 billion yearly

In 2010 International tourists to Wetlands reached

940 million

The scale of Tourism

Coral Reefs ecosystems values

0

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

natural hazardmanagement

tourism genetic materials& bio-prospecting

f isheris

US

$ p

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ha

pe

r y

ea

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toruism

Contributed 14.2 % of gdp

6 touristic Ramsar parks

The etosha pans ramsar site

Attracts 200,000visitorsThe highest number of all parks

Namibia

Slovenia

skicjan Caves Ramsar Site

annual income of 950,000 Euros

Earned from 96,000 visitors

in 2010

reinvested in the parks’s infrastructure

and for nature conservation efforts.

305 hectare

Budget:

100,000USD$

Duration and Payment

Thank Thank youyou