Following the adoption of Resolution XII.10 on Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention at the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention (COP12) in June 2015, and Decision SC57-24 of the Ramsar Standing Committee (June 2019), the Secretariat launched the call for applications to the second edition (2019-2021 triennium) of the Wetland City Accreditation.

For the first edition (2016-2018 triennium) a total of 18 cities were accredited by COP13.

The 18 cities which were accredited during the Ramsar COP13 in Dubai.

The accreditation will encourage cities that are close to and dependent on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance, but also wetlands with other conservation category status, to develop and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems, for example through increased participation and public awareness, as well as a careful consideration of wetlands in municipal planning and decision-making.

The Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention aims to further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.

A candidate city for the Wetland City Accreditation will be assessed and recommended as an Accredited Wetland City by an Independent Advisory Committee, after being proposed by the Contracting Party (through its Ramsar National Focal Point or Head of Administrative Authority) on whose territory it stands. Cities that meet each accreditation criterion described in Resolution XII.10 are invited to complete the nomination form and to transmit it to their Ramsar National Focal Point or Head of Administrative Authority.

The deadline for the Head of the Administrative Authority or the National Focal Point to forward the nomination form to the Ramsar Secretariat is 15 March 2020.

Also published are: guidance on how cities and other human settlements should complete the nomination form, especially regarding the level of detail required and the types of supporting evidence required; a guidance note for Ramsar Administrative Authorities/National Focal Points; and the call for applications, including conditions and deadlines for submission.

Source: The Ramsar Convention