IUCN – Ramsar Collaboration: Supporting the Wise Use of Wetlands (2nd edition)

  Brochure     Publication     Ramsar  

Wetlands are central to IUCN’s Nature 2030 Programme, which underscores the need for integrated conservation efforts to protect biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and sustain human well-being. As part of its global strategy, IUCN promotes Nature-based Solutions that leverage wetlands for water security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable livelihoods, ensuring their protection benefits both ecosystems and societies.

IUCN is proud to be the legal host of the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) – the Ramsar Convention – at its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. Since 1999, IUCN has served as an International Organisation Partner (IOP) to the Ramsar Convention, contributing to its development and implementation. In this capacity, IUCN has collaborated with the Ramsar Convention in many ways, such as supporting countries in accession to the Convention, scientific assistance in the designation of Ramsar Sites, providing help at site level management, and supporting the capacity to link local communities with government authorities to ensure the conservation of wetlands. Here are some brief highlights of IUCN’s recent work in support of the conservation and wise use of wetlands globally.