1. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

2. What is the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands?
Oldest of the global environmental conventions
the only global convention focussing attention on an ecosystem (wetlands)
covers very wide range of wetlands - from coral reefs to mountains
Ramsar, Iran - where 18 countries signed the Convention on 2 February 1971
X so not an acronym (RAMSAR) X
Celebrated annually on World Wetlands Day - 2 February
30th anniversary 2001

3. Ramsar Convention: Mission Statement
“The conservation and wise use of wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.”
(draft Strategic Plan )

4. What is the “wise use” of wetlands?
“… their sustainable utilization for the benefit of humankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem”
(Ramsar COP3, 1987)

5. Ramsar’s definition of “wetland”
“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 metres” (Article 1.1)
and
“may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within wetlands” (Article 2.1)

6. So….Ramsar covers Natural and human-made wetlands inland/freshwater:
marshes, rivers, lakes, reservoirs etc.
coastal/marine
lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds etc.
above ground and underground
karst and caves
but not deep oceans

7. Ramsar Contracting Parties
Contracting Parties commit to delivering the modern Convention through 3 “pillars”:
Wise use of all wetlands
Wetlands of International Importance - designation and management
International cooperation

8. “Accession” - how to join the Convention
Instrument of Accession
letter from Head of State
Designate first Ramsar site
on accession - name of site and map
then complete Ramsar site Information Sheet (RIS)
send instrument and site designation to UNESCO - the Convention’s depositary

9. The Ramsar Convention today
133 Contracting Parties
others in process of joining (accession)
from Africa, central Asia, Caribbean, Oceania
6 Ramsar Regions:
Africa, Asia, Europe, Neotropics, North America & Oceania

10. The Ramsar Convention today
1185 Wetlands of International Importance - “Ramsar sites”
1 million hectares
size: from <1 ha to > 6 million ha

11. Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites)
selected under one or more of 8 criteria, e.g.:
a representative or good example of a wetland type in a country
support important biodiversity
important life-cycle sites for species
e.g. turtle nesting beaches
specifically for waterbirds or fish
e.g. spawning or nursery areas

12. Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites)
Multiple use sites
recognises and supports their values and functions for people
flexible and inclusive of many different types and sizes of wetlands:
largest: Okavango Swamp, Botswana
>6million hectares
smallest: Hosnie Spring, Christmas Island
1 hectare

13. The “Ramsar process and bodies”
Contracting Parties (countries)
Meetings of Contracting Parties (COPs)
main decision-making meetings
Standing Committee
intersessional governance body
Scientific & Technical Review Panel
prepares advice and guidance on technical topics
Ramsar Bureau
the Convention’s Secretariat, based in Switzerland
19 policy, technical and administrative staff

14. Ramsar’s International Organisation Partners (IOPs)
4 international environmental NGOs
BirdLife International
IUCN - the World Conservation Union
Wetlands International
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
important and continuing contribution to Convention implementation
at local, national and global scales

15. Links with other organisations
Cooperation with:
other NGOs and networks
regional environmental organisations
other environmental conventions
3rd Joint Work Plan with CBD (adopted April 2002)
Ramsar: lead implementing partner for CBD inland waters
joint activities developing with UNCCD, CMS, UNFCCC, MAB etc.

16. Key features of the Ramsar Convention
recognises wetlands (goods and services) as vital for human wellbeing (food and water security) and poverty alleviation
supports practical wetland sustainable utilization by countries
open, collaborative and flexible mechanisms
both ecosystems and species
both sites and broad-based sustainable use
supports implementation - not a “compliance-based” convention
provides practical guidance on many topics