The Ramsar Secretariat has just published a new report named ”Global Wetland Outlook: State of the world’s wetlands and their services to people 2018”. The report provides a current overview of global wetlands: their extent, trends, drivers of change and the responses needed to reverse the historical decline in wetland area and quality.     The Global Wetland Outlook (GWO) emphasizes the necessity of developing effective wetland management plans and […]

Wetlands and water sources and bodies are precious areas for indigenous peoples. They are often part of our traditional territories and resources, and provide the basis for the livelihoods of our families and communities; they are also fundamental elements of our cultures, since many of those places are sacred and have high spiritual significance. Many indigenous peoples have developed their cultures based on the interactions with wetlands and water – […]

The Ramsar Advisory Mission (RAM) is one of the most valuable tools available to Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. A RAM is a technical assistance mechanism through which a Contracting Party may request expert advice about how to respond to threats to the ecological character of a Ramsar Site and associated wetland issues. This Policy Brief is produced by the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP), with […]

The multiple benefits and services provided by wetlands are essential in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs represent an ambitious agenda to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030. This 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a comprehensive roadmap for a sustainable future. Seventeen goals, each with a number of concrete targets, translate this programme into action. This report highlights the critical role of wetlands in relation […]