The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The introductory Ramsar flyer/brochure/leaflet

This is the 1996 edition, as updated annually through to 2003. See the entirely new second edition, 2004.

THE CONVENTION ON WETLANDS
(Ramsar, Iran, 1971)

[version française] [version en español]

The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, and came into force in 1975. As of 1 August 2003, 137 states were Contracting Parties and many others were poised to join. Ramsar is the only global environmental treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem.

The Convention’s mission is "the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world".

The basic concepts

• For the purpose of the treaty, "wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters".
• Wetlands have fundamental ecological functions, as regulators of water regimes and as habitats supporting a rich biodiversity.
• Wetlands constitute a resource of great economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value that must be maintained.
• Progressive encroachment on, and loss of, wetlands constitute serious and sometimes irreparable environmental damage that must be avoided.
• Wetlands should be restored and rehabilitated, whenever possible.
• Wetlands should be conserved by ensuring their wise use. Wise use is defined as "sustainable utilization for the benefit of mankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem" – sustainable utilization is understood as "human use of a wetland so that it may yield the greatest continuous benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations". ‘Wise use’ may also require strict protection.

Commitments

Contracting Parties commit themselves to:

• Designate at least one site that meets the Ramsar criteria for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar List), and ensure the maintenance of the ecological character of each Ramsar site. Countries are expected to include in the List as many wetlands that meet the criteria as possible. As of 1 August 2003, the List included 1,305 wetlands (with a surface area of 110 million ha). Listed sites do not necessarily require protected area status, provided their ecological character is maintained through a wise use management approach;
• Include wetland conservation within their national land-use planning, so as to promote the wise use of all wetlands within their territory;
• Establish nature reserves on wetlands, and promote training in wetland research, management and wardening;
• Consult with other Parties about the implementation of the Convention, especially with regard to transfrontier wetlands, shared water systems, shared species, and development projects affecting wetlands.

The Convention at work

• The Conference of the Contracting Parties (or member states) meets every three years (the next session will take place in Uganda in 2005) and approves resolutions, recommendations and technical guidelines to further the application of the Convention.
• The Conference has adopted a Strategic Plan 2003-2008 to guide the implementation of the Convention. Parties report on its application at each session of the Conference.
• The Standing Committee includes Regional Representatives of Ramsar’s six regions, and meets annually.
• The Scientific and Technical Review Panel provides guidance on key issues related to the application of the Convention.
• The Ramsar Bureau (secretariat), which shares headquarters with IUCN - The World Conservation Union, in Gland, Switzerland, coordinates the day-to-day activities of the Convention.
• The Missions in Geneva and/or the Embassies in Bern are the diplomatic channel used by the Bureau. In addition, each country designates an ‘Administrative Authority’ as its focal point for the Convention.
• The Convention works closely with other environment-related conventions and institutions. It has a Joint Work Plan with the Convention on Biological Diversity, and Memoranda of Cooperation with the Conventions on Desertification, Migratory Species, and World Heritage. The Bureau also works with funding institutions such as the World Bank and the GEF.
• Countries are encouraged to establish National Wetland Committees, or Ramsar Committees, involving all relevant government institutions at central and state/province level dealing with water resources, development planning, protected areas, biodiversity, tourism, education, development assistance, etc. The participation of NGOs and interest groups is also actively encouraged.
• Ramsar sites facing problems related to the maintenance of their ecological character can be placed by the country concerned on a special list, the "Montreux Record", and technical assistance to help solve the problems may be requested.
• Countries can make applications to the Ramsar Small Grants Fund to implement wetland conservation and wise use projects.
• Regional Ramsar meetings are held periodically.
• The Convention publishes technical and information/education materials, including the Ramsar Newsletter, and maintains a number of electronic communication tools: a comprehensive Web site and an electronic mailing list, the "Ramsar Forum", as well as specific mailing lists for focal points in the member states. A 22’ video on the Convention’s approach to wetland conservation and wise use, a video on the Convention’s history, and a Ramsar information package are also available.

The Convention has published a series of nine Ramsar Handbooks presenting the guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties over the years in the areas of: wise use of wetlands; national wetland policies; laws and institutions; wetlands and river basin management; community participation; education and public awareness; development of the Ramsar List; management planning; and international cooperation.

The Convention has established procedures to formally recognize international organizations, including NGOs, as its Partners. So far, BirdLife International; IUCN - The World Conservation Union; Wetlands International; and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have been given that status. The Bureau also cooperates with many other international and national NGOs.

The Conference of the Parties adopts a core budget administered by the Ramsar Bureau. The core budget for the year 2002 amounts to 3.16 million Swiss francs. Each Party pays a percentage related to its contribution to the UN budget (from a minimum of 0.01% to a maximum of 25%). Many countries and other donors also make contributions to special Ramsar Bureau projects, including the Ramsar Small Grants Fund.

April 2002
This brochure is part of a series of communication activities funded through the Danone/Evian Project.

This page is a reprint of the text of the standard 4-ply Ramsar brochure or "flyer", first published in February 1996 and revised in February 1998 and April 2000.  This version posted 30 July 2003, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.