Dear Reader

Global environmental problems are becoming increasingly serious, so much
so that they require efforts not only by the national governments but also
by local residents in various regions.

In 1993, the fifth Ramsar Convention of Contracting Parties was held in
Kushiro and since then people's concern over wetlands has been heightened.
On the milestone of the occasion, Kushiro International Wetland Centre was
established, aiming at providing an international contribution through
regional international cooperation toward wetland conservation and wise use.

In order to introduce our activities in the Kushiro region to the world and to
provide our region with information from throughout the world, we have
decided to publish a newsletter. We wish for our newsletter to become known
as a key element of information exchange for the benefit of the people of the
world who are concerned with wetlands all over the world. Your opinions and
advice are greatly appreciated.

September 1995 Toshiyuki Wanibuchi, President Kushiro International Wetland Centre

On the Publication of the KWC Newsletter

Mireille Katz, Communications Officer


It is an hounour and a pleasure to send greetings to the readers of the first
issue of the Kushiro International Wetland Centre's Newsletter. In this period
of preparation for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Ramsar
Convention and the Sixth Meeting of its Contracting Parties in Brisbane,
Australia in March 1996, the work of KIWC is an inspiring example of the
type of activities required to achieve wise use and conservation of wetland
habitats. Information and awareness, training and education, international
cooperation, and conservation action for listed sites: all these activities of
KIWC figure prominently in the Convention's draft Strategic Plan which will be
submitted for the approval of the Contracting Parties in Brisbane.
The proposed adoption of the Strategic Plan will set new orientations for the
Convention, strengthening action towards wise use and land-use planning, public
awareness and training. KIWC has already taken an active role in implementing
these goals in Japan and Asia. In the name of the Bureau and its new Secretary
General, Mr. Delmar Blasco, I wish to congratulate its advisory and executive boards,
as well as its staff, on the success of their first year's activity. I have no doubt
that the Centre will continue to be a catalyst for wetland conservation activities
in Asia in the future.

Hikari Kobayashi,

Director, Wildlife Division, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Environment Agency
My congratulations must go to the Kushiro International Wetland Centre for the
publication of the KIWC Newsletter. The establishment of KIWC is an attempt
to seek, in cooperation with people throughout the world, the coexistence of
wetland and human life from the standpoint of the local residents who "live
with wetlands," not from the standpoint of urban residents whose lives seem
to be separated from nature.

It is my sincere hope that KIWC will keep this view in mind as it develops its
activities and that it will keep communicating the message of "wise use" to the world.

The Environment Agency is willing to do its utmost to conserve wetlands in
cooperation with the KIWC.

Kimimaro Denpo,

Director General, Department of Health and Environment, Hokkaido
Government
I would like to offer congratulations on the publication of "KIWC Newsletter."

In order to conserve Hokkaido's wealth of marshes, the prefectural government has
developed the "Master Plan for Conservation of Marshes in Hokkaido" and expects
to formulate the "Conservation Plan for Kushiro Marsh."

The Kushiro International Wetland Centre has been carrying out a wide range of
programs at levels, from regional to international, such as promoting research and study
concerning wetlands, promoting wise use of wetlands, and holding international
conferences. I hope that such efforts of the center will grow further to contribute
to the conservation of marshes and wetlands.

Dr. Michael Moser,

Director, IWRB
IWRB is proud to be associated with the establishment of the Kushiro International
Wetland Centre. This initiative is a clear commitment by the City of Kushiro to
make a long-term contribution to the wise use of wetlands, following the Ramsar
Conference of 1993. Already in the preparatory phase, the hosting of major international
workshops, the launch of the JICA training initiative, the preparation of several
publications, have been major achievements. I have total confidence that the professional
approach and dedication of the individuals and agencies involved in the establishment of the
Centre, as well as the support of the people of Kushiro, will ensure its long-term success and
achievements. IWRB is pleased to offer continued collaboration in this venture. Good luck!

Faizal Parish,

Executive Director, Asian Wetland Bureau

It gives me great pleasure to write this message for the inaugural KIWC newsletter.
I have been very happy to have been involved, together with our partners from IWRB
Japan, in the meetings over the past two years which led to the development of the
concept of KIWC, preparation of the Centre and its official launch earlier this year.
KIWC is an important working model for cooperation between agencies at the local,
national and international level to advance wetland conservation. It has built on the
outstanding success of the Kushiro Ramsar Conference in June 1993 and the various
training courses, workshops and other activities which have followed. The Workshop
on Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds held in December 1994 in Kushiro and follow-up
meetings planned in 1995 hosted by KIWC have already led to significant action by countries
in the East Asia-Australasian region to provide better coordination and conservation
measures for migratory waterbirds. I am sure that KIWC will continue to play an important
role for wetland and waterbird conservation in the region and I reaffirm AWB's commitment
to work with the Centre in the future.