Number: 1990-16
WHEREAS, the Convention on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific, commonly called the “APIA Convention”, was signed by various governments on June 12, 1976; and
WHEREAS, the participants of the convention had in mind the Principles set out in the Declaration adopted by the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment at Stockholm in June, 1972; and
WHEREAS, the participants were convinced of the urgency for action inspired by these Principles, especially in relation to the maintenance of the capacity of the earth to produce essential renewable resources, the safeguarding of representative samples of natural ecosystems, and the safeguarding of the heritage of wildlife and its habitat; and
WHEREAS, the participants were conscious of the importance of natural resources from a nutritional, scientific, educational, cultural and aesthetic point of view; and
WHEREAS, the participants were also conscious of the dangers threatening these irreplaceable resources; and
WHEREAS, the participants recognized the special importance IN the South Pacific of indigenous customs and traditional cultural practices and the need to give due consideration to such matters; and
WHEREAS, the participants desired to take action for the conservation, utilization and development of these resources through careful planning and management for the benefit of present and future generations; and
WHEREAS, the convention calls for each signee to the extent that it is itself involved, to encourage the creation, wise management and appropriate use of protected areas which together with existing protected areas will safeguard representative samples of natural ecosystems occurring therein (particular attention being given to endangered species), as well as superlative scenery, striking geological formations, and regions and objects of aesthetic interest or historic, cultural or scientific value; and
WHEREAS, the United States of America has not yet ratified the “APIA Convention”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, urges the U.S. Senate to exercise its authority to ratify the Convention on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific (the “APIA Convention”); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon the Administration to implement the provisions of the Convention on Conservation in the South Pacific (the “APIA Convention”) to the maximum extent possible.