The importance of wetlands
Wetlands are vital for human survival. They are among the world’s most productive environments; cradles of biological diversity that provide the water and productivity upon which countless species of plants and animals depend for survival.
The Convention
The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Almost 90% of UN member states, from all the world’s geographic regions, have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”.
Highlights
Panama designates its sixth Wetland of International Importance
Increased funding supports wetland restoration across Serbia
15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
Call for proposals 2025: The Nagao Wetland Fund
Celebrating the second cohort of Women Changemakers in the World of Wetlands
Glaciers—the ice that gives life to wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Since then, almost 90% of UN member states, from all the world’s geographic regions, have acceded to become “Contracting Parties”.
Number of contracting parties:
Number of wetlands:
Total surface of designated sites:
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