Resolution XII.10, adopted during the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar COP12),
endorsed the establishment of a Wetland City accreditation system, “Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention”. Under this resolution, Contracting
Parties recognize “the huge potential of urban areas in terms of education and public awareness related to wetlands conservation” and that the accreditation
scheme “can assist cities, Contracting Parties and stakeholders in promoting awareness on the wise use and conservation of wetlands”. This accreditation
scheme grants branding opportunities for cities that maintain a strong and positive relationship with wetlands. It will also accord cities with global recognition
as model cities, which can also help boost local ecotourism activities.

At Ramsar COP13 held in October 2018 in Dubai, 18 cities from seven countries were officially recognized as “Wetland Cities” under the Ramsar Convention.
In support of this achievement, the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA) volunteered to assist in forging a stronger network of Wetland Cities by
organizing the Inaugural Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors on 23-25 October 2019 in Suncheon City, Republic of Korea. During the meeting, Wetland City
Mayors in attendance unanimously agreed to establish the “Wetland City Network”. The Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries of the
Republic of Korea, and the Suncheon City Government hosted the event.

The roundtable of Wetland City Mayors allows members of the Wetland City Network to meet on an annual basis. The meeting serves as a platform for Wetland
Cities to:

• establish and strengthen communication channels among Wetland Cities;
• share and exchange information about experiences in managing urban wetlands with respect to local policies and regulations;
• facilitate dialogues to promote and develop socio-economic and environmental cooperation among Wetland Cities;
• invite and welcome new Wetland Cities to the Wetland City Network;
• introduce the Wetland City Accreditation scheme to potential Wetland Cities; and
• involve International Organization Partners (IOPs) of the Convention on Wetlands and other wetland stakeholders in activities of the Wetland City
  Network.