Summary of Conventions

Country	Status	Year
Albania	pending	29-Mar-1996
Algeria	pending	04-Mar-1984
Argentina	pending	04-Sep-1992
Australia	pending	21-Dec-1975
Austria	pending	16-Apr-1983
Bangladesh	pending	21-Sep-1992
Armenia	pending	06-Nov-1993
Belgium	pending	04-Jul-1986
Bolivia	pending	27-Oct-1990
Brazil	pending	24-Sep-1993
Bulgaria	pending	24-Jan-1976
Canada	pending	15-May-1981
Sri Lanka	pending	15-Oct-1990
Chad	pending	13-Oct-1990
Chile	pending	27-Nov-1981
China	pending	31-Jul-1992
Comoros	pending	09-Jun-1995
Congo, D.R. of	pending	18-May-1996
Denmark	pending	02-Jan-1978
Ecuador	pending	07-Jan-1991
Estonia	pending	29-Jul-1994
Finland	pending	21-Dec-1975
France	pending	01-Feb-1987
Gabon	pending	30-Apr-1987
Germany, Fed. Rep.	pending	26-Jun-1976
Ghana	pending	22-Jun-1988
Greece	pending	21-Dec-1975
Guatemala	pending	26-Oct-1990
Guinea	pending	18-Mar-1993
Honduras	pending	23-Oct-1993
Hungary	pending	11-Aug-1979
Iceland	pending	02-Apr-1978
India	pending	01-Feb-1982
Indonesia	pending	08-Aug-1992
Iran, Islamic R. of	pending	21-Dec-1975
Ireland	pending	15-Mar-1985
Israel	pending	14-Jun-1993
Italy	pending	14-Apr-1977
Japan	pending	17-Oct-1980
Jordan	pending	10-May-1977
Kenya	pending	05-Oct-1990
Liechtenstein	pending	06-Dec-1991
Lithuania	pending	20-Dec-1993
Luxembourg	pending	31-Aug-1989
Malaysia	pending	10-Mar-1995
Mali	pending	25-Sep-1987
Malta	pending	30-Sep-1988
Mauritania	pending	22-Feb-1983
Mexico	pending	04-Nov-1986
Morocco	pending	20-Oct-1980
Namibia	pending	23-Dec-1995
Nepal	pending	17-Apr-1988
Netherlands	pending	23-Sep-1980
New Zealand	pending	13-Dec-1976
Niger	pending	30-Aug-1987
Norway	pending	21-Dec-1975
Pakistan	pending	23-Nov-1976
Panama	pending	26-Nov-1990
Papua New Guinea	pending	16-Jul-1993
Paraguay	pending	07-Oct-1995
Peru	pending	30-Mar-1992
Philippines	pending	08-Nov-1994
Poland	pending	22-Mar-1978
Portugal	pending	24-Mar-1981
Guinea-Bissau	pending	14-May-1990
Romania	pending	21-Sep-1991
Russian Federation	pending	11-Feb-1977
Senegal	pending	11-Nov-1977
Viet Nam	pending	20-Jan-1989
South Africa	pending	21-Dec-1975
Spain	pending	04-Sep-1982
Suriname	pending	22-Nov-1985
Sweden	pending	21-Dec-1975
Switzerland	pending	16-May-1976
Togo	pending	04-Nov-1995
Trinidad and Tobago	pending	21-Apr-1993
Tunisia	pending	24-Mar-1981
Turkey	pending	13-Nov-1994
Uganda	pending	04-Jul-1988
Macedonia	pending	08-Sep-1991
Latvia	pending	25-Nov-1995
Egypt	pending	09-Jan-1989
United Kingdom	pending	05-May-1976
USA (contiguous states)	pending	18-Apr-1987
Burkina Faso	pending	27-Oct-1990
Uruguay	pending	22-Sep-1984
Venezuela	pending	23-Mar-1989
Zambia	pending	28-Dec-1991

Language
English
French
Spanish

Document text

	Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar), 1971

     The Contracting Parties,
     RECOGNIZING the interdependence of man and his environment;
     CONSIDERING the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands as regulators of water regimes and as habitats supporting a characteristic flora and fauna, especially waterfowl;
     BEING convinced that wetlands constitute a resource of great economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value, the loss of which would be irreparable;
     DESIRING to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future;
     RECOGNIZING that waterfowl in their seasonal migrations may transcend frontiers and so should be regarded as an international resource;
     BEING confident that the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna can be ensured by combining far-sighted national policies with coordinated international action;
     HAVE AGREED as follows:

Article 1
     1. For the purpose of this Convention wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.
     2. For the purpose of this Convention waterfowl are birds ecologically dependent on wetlands.

Article 2
     1. Each Contracting Party shall designate suitable wetlands within its territory for inclusion in a List of Wetlands of International Importance, hereinafter referred to as "the List" which is maintained by the bureau established under Article 8. The boundaries of each wetland shall be precisely described and also delimited on a map and they may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands, especially where these have importance as waterfowl habitat.
     2. Wetlands should be selected for the List on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. In the first instance wetlands of international importance to waterfowl at any season should be included.
     3. The inclusion of a wetland in the List does not prejudice the exclusive sovereign rights of the Contracting Party in whose territory the wetland is situated.
     4. Each Contracting Party shall designate at least one wetland to be included in the List when signing this Convention or when depositing its instrument of ratification or accession, as provided in Article 9.
     5. Any Contracting Party shall have the right to add to the List further wetlands situated within its territory, to extend the boundaries of those wetlands already included by it in the List, or, because of its urgent national interests, to delete or restrict the boundaries of wetlands already included by it in the List and shall, at the earliest possible time, inform the organization or government responsible for the continuing bureau duties specified in Article 8 of any such changes.
     6. Each Contracting Party shall consider its international responsibilities for the conservation, management and wise use of migratory stocks of waterfowl, both when designating entries for the List and when exercising its right to change entries in the List relating to wetlands within its territory.

Article 3
     1. The Contracting Parties shall formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of the wetlands included in the List, and as far as possible the wise use of wetlands in their territory.
     2. Each Contracting Party shall arrange to be informed at the earliest possible time if the ecological character of any wetland in its territory and included in the List has changed, is changing or is likely to change as the result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Information on such changes shall be passed without delay to the organization or government responsible for the continuing bureau duties specified in Article 8.

Article 4
     1. Each Contracting Party shall promote the conservation of wetlands and waterfowl by establishing nature reserves on wetlands, whether they are included in the List or not, and provide adequately for their wardening.
     2. Where a Contracting Party in its urgent national interest, deletes or restricts the boundaries of a wetland included in the List, it should as far as possible compensate for any loss of wetland resources, and in particular it should create additional nature reserves for waterfowl and for the protection, either in the same area or elsewhere, of an adequate portion of the original habitat.
     3. The Contracting Parties shall encourage research and the exchange of data and publications regarding wetlands and their flora and fauna.
     4. The Contracting Parties shall endeavour through management to increase waterfowl populations on appropriate wetlands.
     5. The Contracting Parties shall promote the training of personnel competent in the fields of wetland research, management and wardening.

Article 5
     The Contracting Parties shall consult with each other about implementing obligations arising from the Convention especially in the case of a wetland extending over the territories of more than one Contracting Party or where a water system is shared by Contracting Parties.
     They shall at the same time endeavour to coordinate and support present and future policies and regulations concerning the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna.

Article 6
     1. The Contracting Parties shall, as the necessity arises, convene Conferences on the Conservation of Wetlands and Waterfowl.
     2. These Conferences shall have an advisory character and shall be competent, inter alia:
      a) to discuss the implementation of this Convention;
      b) to discuss additions to and changes in the List;
      c) to consider information regarding changes in the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 3;
      d) to make general or specific recommendations to the Contracting Parties regarding the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and fauna;
      e) to request relevant international bodies to prepare reports and statistics on matters which are essentially international in character affecting wetlands.
     3. The Contracting Parties shall ensure that those responsible at all levels for wetlands management shall be informed of, and take into consideration, recommendations of such Conferences concerning the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and fauna.

Article 7
     1. The representatives of the Contracting Parties at such Conferences should include persons who are experts on wetlands or waterfowl by reason of knowledge and experience gained in scientific, administrative or other appropriate capacities.
     2. Each of the Contracting Parties represented at a Conference shall have one vote, recommendations being adopted by a simple majority of the votes cast, provided that not less than half the Contracting Parties cast votes.

Article 8
     1. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources shall perform the continuing bureau duties under this Convention until such time as another organization or government is appointed by a majority of two-thirds of all Contracting Parties.
     2. The continuing bureau duties shall be, inter alia:
      a) to assist in the convening and organizing of Conferences specified in 
Article 6;
      b) to maintain the List of Wetlands of International Importance and to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any additions, extensions, deletions or restrictions concerning wetlands included in the List      provided in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 2;
      c) to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any changes in the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 3;
      d) to forward notification of any alterations to the List, or changes in character of wetlands included therein, to all Contracting Parties and to arrange for these matters to be discussed at the next Conference;
      e) to make known to the Contracting Party concerned, the recommendations of the Conferences in respect of such alterations to the List or of changes in the character of wetlands included therein.

Article 9
     1. This Convention shall remain open for signature indefinitely.
     2. Any member of the United Nations or of one of the Specialized Agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency or Party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice may become a Party to this Convention by:
      a) signature without reservation as to ratification;
      b) signature subject to ratification followed by ratification;
      c) accession.
     3. Ratification or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of ratification or accession with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (hereinafter referred to as "the Depository").

Article 10
     1. This Convention shall enter into force four months after seven States have become Parties to this Convention in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 9.
     2. Thereafter this Convention shall enter into force for each Contracting Party four months after the day of its signature without reservation as to ratification, or its deposit of an instrument of ratification or accession.

Article 11
     1. This Convention shall continue in force for an indefinite period.
     2. Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention after a period of five years from the date on which it entered into force for that Party by giving written notice thereof to the Depository. Denunciation shall take effect four months after the day on which notice thereof is received by the Depository.

Article 12
     1. The Depository shall inform all States that have signed and acceded to this Convention as soon as possible of:I
      a) signatures to the Convention;
      b) deposits of instruments of ratification of this Convention;
      c) deposits of instruments of accession to this Convention;
      d) the date of entry into force of this Convention;
      e) notifications of denunciation of this Convention.
     2. When this Convention has entered into force, the Depository shall have it registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized to that effect, have signed this Convention.

     DONE at Ramsar this 2nd day of February 1971, in a single original in the English, French, German and Russian languages, in any case of divergency the English text prevailing, which shall be deposited with the Depository which shall send true copies thereof to all Contracting Parties.

PROTOCOL OF AMENDMENT
     A Protocol to amend the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat was adopted in Paris on 3 December 1982.

     The Protocol provides as follows:
     The Contracting Parties,
     CONSIDERING that for the effectiveness of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, done at Ramsar on 2 February 1971 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention"), it is indispensable to increase the number of Contracting Parties;
     AWARE that the addition of authentic language versions would facilitate wider participation in the Convention;
     CONSIDERING furthermore that the text of the Convention does not provide for an amendment procedure, which makes it difficult to amend the text as may be considered necessary;
     HAVE AGREED as follows:

Article 1
     The following Article shall be added between Article 10 and Article 11 of the Convention:
     "Article 10 Bis"
     1. This Convention may be amended at a meeting of the Contracting Parties convened for that purpose in accordance with this Article.
     2. Proposals for amendment may be made by any Contracting Party.
     3. The text of any proposed amendment and the reasons for it shall be communicated to the organization or government performing the continuing bureau duties under the Convention (hereinafter referred to as "the Bureau") and shall promptly be communicated by the Bureau to all Contracting Parties. Any comments on the text by the Contracting Parties shall be communicated to the Bureau within three months of the date on which amendments were communicated to the Contracting Parties by the Bureau. The Bureau shall, immediately after the last day for submission of comments, communicate to the Contracting Parties all comments submitted by that day.
     4. A meeting of Contacting Parties to consider an amendment communicated in accordance with paragraph 3 shall be convened by the Bureau upon the written request of one third of the Contracting Parties. The Bureau shall consult the Parties concerning the time and venue of the meeting.
     5. Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the Contracting Parties present and voting.
     6. An amendment adopted shall enter into force for the Contracting Parties which have accepted it on the first day of the fourth month following the date on which two-thirds of the Contracting Parties have deposited an instrument of acceptance with the Depository. For each Contracting Party which deposits an instrument of acceptance after the date on which two-thirds of the Contracting Parties have deposited an instrument of acceptance, the amendment shall enter into force on the first day of the fourth month following the date of the deposit of its instrument of acceptance.

Article 2
     In the testimonium following Article 12 of the Convention, the words "in any case of divergency the English text prevailing" shall be deleted and replaced by the words "all texts being equally authentic".

Article 3
     The revised text of the original French version of the Convention is reproduced in the Annex to this Protocol.

Article 4
     This Protocol shall be open for signature at UNESCO headquarters in Paris from 3 December 1982.

Article 5
     1. Any State referred to in Article 9, paragraph 2, of the Convention may become a Contracting Party to this Protocol by:
      a) signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval;
      b) signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval;
      c) accession.
     2. Ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (hereinafter referred to as "the Depository").
     3. Any State which becomes a Contracting Party to the Convention after the entry into force of this Protocol shall, failing an expression of a different intention at the time of signature or of the deposit of the instrument referred to in Article 9 of the Convention, be considered as a Party to the Convention as amended by this Protocol.
     4. Any State which becomes a Contracting Party to this Protocol without being a Contracting Party to the Convention, shall be considered as a Party to the Convention as amended by this Protocol as of the date of entry into force of this Protocol for that State.

Article 6
     1. This Protocol shall enter into force the first day of the fourth month following the date on which two-thirds of the States which are Contracting Parties to the Convention on the date on which this Protocol is opened for signature have signed it without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval, or have ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to it.
     2. With regard to any State which becomes a Contracting Party to this Protocol in the manner described in paragraph 1 and 2 of Article 5 above, after the date of its entry into force, this Protocol shall enter into force on the date of its signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval, or of its ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
     3. With regard to any State which becomes a Contracting Party to this Protocol in the manner described in paragraph 1 and 2 of Article 5 above, during the period between the date on which this Protocol is opened for signature and its entry into force, this Protocol shall enter into force on the date determined in paragraph 1 above.

Article 7
     1. The original of this Protocol, in the English and French languages, each version being equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Depository. The Depository shall transmit certified copies of each of these versions to all States that have signed this Protocol or deposited instruments of accession to it.
     2. The Depository shall inform all Contracting Parties of the Convention and all States that have signed and acceded to this Protocol as soon as possible of:
      a) signatures to this Protocol;
      b) deposits of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of this Protocol;
      c) deposits of instruments of accession to this Protocol;
      d) the date of entry into force of this Protocol.
     3. When this Protocol has entered into force, the Depository shall have it registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized to that effect, have signed this Protocol.

     DONE at Paris on 3 December 1982.

Short Name:	Ramsar Convention
Full Name:	Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat
Purpose:	environment
Established:	02-Feb-1971
Entered into force:	21-Dec-1975
Type:	convention, multi-lateral
Place where established:	Ramsar, Iran (Islamic Rep. of)
Schedule to expire:
Goals and Objectives:	US National Ramsar Committee is a body of nongovernmental organizational representatives that supports the implementation of the Ramsar Convention within US and internationally. The purpose is to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific and recreational value; Promotes sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems, allowing communities to gain economic benefits from these areas while maintaining the ecosystems viability.
Related Legislation:	[28 May 1987] Amendments to Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. [03 Dec 1982] Protocol to amend the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.
Internet source:	#http://www.ramsar.org/key_conv_e.htm#

Secretariat's address	The Ramsar Convention Bureau Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196 Gland Switzerland
Telephone	+41-22-9990170
Fax	+41-22-9990169
E-Mail	ramsar@ramsar.org#http://ramsar@ramsar.org#
Home Page	#http://www.ramsar.org/key_conv_e.htm#