Ramsarconventie

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty adopted in 1971 by UNESCO in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention's mission is to promote the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.

Wetlands are defined by the Convention as 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. This broad definition encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, floodplains, deltas, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, peatlands, and even rice paddies.

Parties to the Convention commit to designating at least one Ramsar site on their territory for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance. These sites are recognized for their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological or hydrological importance. Contracting Parties also commit to the "wise use" of all wetlands within their territory, which means maintaining the ecological character of wetlands through management interventions. The Convention encourages international cooperation on transboundary wetlands, shared water resources, and the exchange of information and expertise.