Wetland Persons of International Importance

The first person to be designated for the List of Wetland Persons of International Importance was Thymio Papayannis for his many years of contributions to the Convention and particularly to MedWet.

Thymio Papayannis receiving his certificate, MedWet/Com4, Portugal, May 2001.

26 November 2002, the Secretary General presents Eckhart Kuikjen of Belgium, who has attended all eight of the Ramsar meetings of the Conference of the Parties thus far, with his certificate as the 2nd Wetland Person of International Importance.

Veit Koester (seen here representing Denmark and the EU at Ramsar COP8) was the third person to be awarded the title of Wetland Person of International Importance, on the occasion of his retirement in late December 2002.

Clayton Rubec of Canada became the fourth honoree, here being presented with his certificate by the Secretary General at Ramsar COP10 in South Korea, 4 November 2008.

Makoto Komoda of Japan was named a Wetland Person of International Importance at the 40th Standing Committee meeting, 15 May 2009

Delmar Blasco, former Secretary General, was awarded the certificate and title of a Wetland Person of Intergalactic Importance on the occasion of his farewell from the Bureau, 30 July 2003.