| The Eighth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties(COP8) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was successfully held on 18-26 November 2002, at the Museo de la Ciencias in Valencia, Spain. The COP8 focused on water, dam, climate change, agriculture and wetland cultural heritage. Especially "agriculture" and "wetland cultural heritage" were featured as new approach. Twenty RCJ members attended the conference. Members are as follows, Mr. Asae Sayaka, Amb. Amado. S. Tolentino, Jr., Mr. A. K. Pattnaik, Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, Dr. C. L. Trisal, Dr. Che Salmah, Mr. Chen Kelin, Mr. Sanowar Hossain, Dr. Dr. Sundari Ramakrishna, Dr. Taej Mundkur, Dr. Hiriji Isozaki, Dr. Satoshi Kobayashi, Dr. Tatsuichi Tsujii, Mr. Hisashi Shinsho, Ms. Reiko Nakamura, Mr. Takayuki Musha, Ms. Reiko Okamoto, Mr. Satoru Murakami, Ms. Aya Yonezawa, Ms. Tamako Tsukiji. |
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Opening ceremony and addresses were held on 18th. More than 1000 people attend the COP8. |
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We set RCJ booth on the 2nd Floor. This is a scene on 17th at its preparation. and informed our activities. |
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Many participants visited our booth. We introduced AWS2001 Proceedings, Penang Statement which are the outputs of AWS2001. We called for visiters to join our campaign"Asian Wetlands Week". |
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The side meeting in commemoration of receiving the Ramsar Wetland Award was organized by Chilika Development Authority(CDA) on 19th. Mr. A.K.Pattnaik, Cheif Exective is making a speech. |
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About fourty people attend the above meeting. |
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Dr. Tatsuichi Tsujii, president of wetlands International-Japan, reliesed
the commemorative goods from CDA. He has been working on conservation of Chilika lake incllaboration with CDA and local NGOs for tfive years. |
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The Asian Resional Meeting was held on 20th. About seventy peoples attend the meeting. |
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Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, RCJ member introduced Proceedings and Penang Statement which are outputs of AWS2001in the meeting. |
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.Ms. Reiko Nakamura, Secretary General of RCJ showed the poster of the campaign "Asian Wetlands Week". |
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We held "RCJ Gathering" on 24th in our hotel, and talked about RCJ future activities. |