The Convention on Wetlands / RAMSAR

Wetlands such as brooks, rivers, lakes, springs and marshlands are of great importance for the global water cycle. They usually have a rich biodiversity and act like filters to clean the water. They are also buffer zones and reduce the risk of floods. These important habitats, however, are threatened by hydraulic engineering, draining, eutrophication, pollution, energy production and intensive leisure activities.

To protect wetlands all over the world, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was agreed at Ramsar in Iran in 1971. Ramsar sites are listed if they meet international significance of the wetland itself. The Convention aims to protect wetlands of international importance, particularly was waterfowl habitats, fostering national and international sustainable use thus contributing to the realisation of sustainable development world wide. The Convention is founded on three pillars of:

• Promoting the wise use of wetlands
• Developing international co-operation
• Developing a network of Wetland sites of International Importance

The Convention on Wetlands is not part of the UN or UNEP system of environmental treaties, with many of the secretariats of which, however, Ramsar has established collaborative agreements.

At present, there are 1,831 listened RAMSAR regions, totalling 170 million hectares from 158 countries world wide (February 2009). RAMSAR provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. In detail, the contracting countries are committed:

At 29 September 2004, a Memorandum of Co-operation between The Convention on Wetlands and the Global Nature Fund (GNF) was signed. This co-operation emphasizes the common goals of both organizations:

• The wise use, the knowledgeable management and the conservation of wetlands.
• The listing of such wetlands which are members of the Living Lakes programme as Wetlands of International Importance, if they have the potential.
• The international co-operation between the objectives of both organizations.
• The development and support of the programmes, the projects and the publications of mutual interest.
• The encouragement of membership of the convention from non-party states which are active within the Living Lakes programme.