Resolution XII.10, adopted in 2015 during the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP12), endorsed the establishment of an accreditation scheme, “Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands”. 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 cities with branding opportunities and global recognition as model cities that maintain a strong and positive relationship with wetlands.
To date, 74 cities from 27 countries have been officially recognized as “Wetland Cities” by the Convention on Wetlands:
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Argentina |
Trelew |
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Belgium |
Mechelen |
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Botswana |
Kasane-Kazungula, Shakawe |
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Canada |
Sackville |
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Chile |
Valdivia |
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China |
Changde, Changshu, Chongming, Dali, Dongying, Fuzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Jining, Jiujiang, Lhasa, Liangping, Nanchang, Panjin, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Yancheng, Yinchuan, Yueyang |
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France |
Abbeville, Amiens, Arles, Belval-en-Argonne, Courteranges, Hampigny, Pont-Audemer, Saint-Omer, Seltz |
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Hungary |
Tata |
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India |
Indore, Udaipur |
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Indonesia |
Surabaya, Tanjung Jabung Timur |
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Iran |
Babol, Bandar Khamir, Bandar Kiashar, Gandoman |
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Iraq |
Varzaneh, Al Chibayish |
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Japan |
Izumi, Nagoya, Niigata |
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Madagascar |
Mitsinjo |
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Morocco |
Ifrane, Mehdya |
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Philippines |
Balanga |
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Poland |
Poznan |
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Republic of Korea |
Changnyeong, Gimhae, Gochang, Inje, Jeju, Mungyeong, Seocheon, Seogwipo, Suncheon |
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Rwanda |
Kigali |
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Serbia |
Novi Sad |
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South Africa |
Cape Town |
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Spain |
Valencia |
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Sri Lanka |
Colombo |
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Switzerland |
Geneva |
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Thailand |
Sri Songkhram District |
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Tunisia |
Ghar el Melh |
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Zimbabwe |
Victoria Falls |
The Convention on Wetlands Secretariat provides more detailed information about the Wetland City Accreditation scheme such as accreditation criteria; processes for nomination, recognition and renewal; among others. Relevant documents can be accessed via https://www.ramsar.org/our-work/activities/wetland-city-accreditation.
In support of the accreditation scheme, the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia (RRC-EA) volunteered to assist in forging a stronger network of Wetland Cities by organizing the first Mayors’ Roundtable on 23-25 October 2019 in Suncheon City, Republic of Korea. At this roundtable, Wetland Cities have unanimously agreed to establish the “Wetland City Network” and endorsed the corresponding Terms of Reference of the Wetland City Network. The RRC-EA was also assigned to serve as Secretariat of the Wetland City Network.
Wetland Cities provide a huge potential to promote and deliver on the wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands. The establishment of an effective Wetland City Network contributes to the implementation of the Convention on Wetlands through collective efforts of local governments, local communities and other important stakeholders. The Wetland City Network serves as a platform that:
Wetland Cities may voluntarily join the network as members. The Wetland City Network may admit observers representing international, national and local government and non-government organizations, as well as cities that are aspiring to be recognized as a Wetland City and are interested in joining the Wetland City Network.
As Secretariat of the Wetland City Network, the RRC-EA is expected to perform the following functions:
