Ramsar and Wetland NGOs: A Report of the World Wetland Network for Ramsar CoP12

7th May 2015

In 2014 Wild Migration worked with the World Wetland Network (WWN) to conduct a survey of WWN’s members and the broader wetland conservation community. The purpose of the survey was to explore the relationship nongovernmental organisations (NGO) and civil society organisations have with Ramsar and delivery of Ramsar wetland conservation goals.

The survey overwhelmingly showed that NGOs are committed to Ramsar and want to do more. It also developed recommendations for the Ramsar to consider.

Ramsar Parties, National Focal Points and the Ramsar Secretariat need to find ways to embrace the wetland NGO community. NGOs often create a longer-term and more continuous link for Ramsar than government representatives.

Exploring options to expand on the International Organisation Partners status to include more NGOs and civil society organisations in the decision-making process for Ramsar at international, regional and country levels will increase NGO commitment to Ramsar conservation activities.

Inviting NGO and civil society input into reporting on the state of wetlands, as well as having input to the Ramsar wetland nomination process and the Montreux Record will increase Ramsar's capacity.

Prioritizing funding and support for NGOs and civil society organisations that are working on Ramsar listed wetlands will strengthen Ramsar's performance.


The WWN committee has developed the following recommendations for Ramsar consideration:

a) Recognize that NGOs often create a longer-term and more continuous link for Ramsar than Government Representatives.
b) Develop more structured guidance for Ramsar Parties, and National Focal Points, on how to engage civil society, possibly as part of a CEPA programme.
c) Explore options to expand on the International Organisation Partners status to include more NGOs and civil society organisations in the decision-making process for Ramsar at international, regional and country levels.
d) Explore options for inviting NGO and civil society input into reporting on the state of wetlands, as well as having input to the Ramsar wetland nomination process and the Montreux Record.
e) Prioritize funding and support for NGOs and civil society organisations that are working on Ramsar listed wetlands.

Full Report: Ramsar and Wetland NGOs: A Report of the World Wetland Network for Ramsar CoP12
Summary: Ramsar and Wetland NGOs: Executive Summary (English, French and Spanish)