Ramsar Convention

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Upper Navua Ramsar Site, Fiji

Wise use

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Archipel Bolama-Bijagos Ramsar Site in Guinea-Bissau

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Ramsar transboundary Site Wadden Sea

Ramsar Convention

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World Wetlands Day

Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar, Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971. The Ramsar Convention aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve those that remain through wise use and management. The parties to the convention, which include more than 170 countries as of the last update, commit to work towards the wise use of all their wetlands through national land-use planning, appropriate policies and legislation, management actions, and public education.

Objectives and Importance

The main objective of the Ramsar Convention is the conservation and wise use of wetlands by national action and international cooperation as a means to achieve sustainable development throughout the world. Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, crucial for the survival of countless species of plants and animals, and human beings, providing essential services such as water filtration, storm protection, flood mitigation, and climate change adaptation.

Key Features

• Wise Use Principle: The convention promotes the wise use of wetlands, defined as the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development.
• List of Wetlands of International Importance: The convention maintains a list, known as the Ramsar List, which includes wetlands that have been designated by the member countries as having international importance. The criteria for inclusion in this list cover a broad range of wetland types, including swamps, marshes, peatlands, lakes, rivers, and coastal zones.
• Ramsar Sites: These are wetland sites designated by member countries as being of significant value not only for the country in which they are located but for humanity as a whole. As of the last update, there are over 2,300 Ramsar Sites, covering over 250 million hectares globally.
• Triennial Conference of the Parties (COP): The COP is the policy-making organ of the convention, which adopts decisions (resolutions and recommendations) to administer the work of the convention and improve the way in which the parties are able to implement its objectives.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its successes, the Ramsar Convention faces challenges such as the ongoing loss and degradation of wetlands due to factors like land-use change, pollution, and climate change. Future directions for the convention include enhancing the effectiveness of the wise use concept, improving the management of Ramsar Sites, increasing the engagement of local communities and indigenous peoples in wetland conservation, and strengthening international cooperation.

See Also

• Biodiversity
• Climate Change
• Sustainable Development
• Water Resources
• Environmental Conservation