AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
between
THE CITY OF NARASHINO, CHIBA PREFECTURE, JAPAN
and the
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL,QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
in ralation to
THE YATSU TIDELAND AND THE BOONDALL WETLANDS
25 FEBRUARY 1998
Wetlands are one of the most important global environments to be valued because of their biological diversity and high productivity. Despite recognition of the importance of various functions of wetlands for human society, loss, destruction, degradation and misuse of wetlands continue in many areas of the world.
Given the ever increasing pressure on wetlands, it is essential that local government and its local communities promote wetlands conservation to maintain these delicate and fragile environments and to restore global wetlands to a pristine condition so that they may be passed on from generation to generation.
The East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Reserve Network was approved and inaugurated at the Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention held in Brisbane City in March 1996. This network suggests that cooperation between each country involved and collaboration between the wetlands is important for the preservation of wetlands and the protection of migratory shorebirds. Furthermore, Recommendation 6.3, adopted at the Sixth Ramsar Convention calls for the consideration of how local people should participate in the preservation of wetlands.
Brisbane City (Queensland, Australia) and Narashino City (Chiba Prefecture, Japan) support internationally important wetlands, including those registered under the Ramsar Convention and wetlands forming part of the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Reserve Network. Both cities will strive to preserve their own wetlands and protect waterbirds. In addition, both cities are aware of the importance of working together with the local community to protect wetlands and have a deep understanding of the significance of projects for the preservation of those wetlands being undertaken in a sister wetland relationship.
In recognition of the importance of protecting wetlands and the migratory shorebirds which depend upon these wetlands, the City of Narashino and the City of Brisbane have reached the following agreement to :
- Support joint research and the exchange of research and study information in relation to wetland preservation and the protection of migratory shorebirds.
- Support the exchange and reciprocal training of persons involved in wetland protection.
- Support the exchange of students to increase their awareness and understanding through educational programs of the importance of protecting the natural environment.
- Support the development of domestic and international educational projects for the preservation of wetlands and the protection of migratory shorebirds.
- Support exchange visits by members of their respective local communities.
The above activities are entered into in the spirit of mutual benefit.
It is for the confirmation of the above that both mayors hereby affix their signatures to declare the Affiliation Agreement established in Brisbane City on Wednesday February 25 1998.
IISAMU ARAKI
MAYOR OF NARASHINO
JAMES SOORLEY
LORD MAYOR OF BRISBANE
