The Convention on Wetlands has a long and important history. It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, came into force in 1975, and is the oldest intergovernmental treaty that focuses on conserving biodiversity. Functioning as natural infrastructure, wetlands are transitional lands between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that deliver key services including hydrological regulation, pollution filtration, and climate change mitigation, all of which underpin both environmental health and human socio-economic wellbeing. The Convention’s main objectives are to halt the global loss of wetlands, promote their wise use and regional and international cooperation, as well as generate sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
ICLEI at the Convention on Wetlands COP15
Wetland City Forum
The Wetland City Forum, co-organized by the Ramsar Regional Center – East Asia / Wetland City Network Secretariat and the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) for Wetland City Accreditation, brought together newly accredited Wetland Cities to celebrate their achievements and share their experiences between the 24th and 25th of July 2025. The Forum provided a platform for cities to showcase their efforts in conserving and wisely using urban and peri-urban wetlands, while highlighting the benefits of Wetland City status.
Through interactive exchanges, participants explored opportunities for collaboration, learned from diverse city initiatives, and strengthened global partnerships for wetland conservation. The Forum also invited new Wetland Cities to join the Wetland City Network and take part in the 4th Roundtable of Wetland City Mayors in Tata, Hungary.
In a key contribution to the Forum, ICLEI presented its work to support local governments in advancing wetland conservation, nature-based solutions, and sustainable urban development, emphasizing the role of cities in global biodiversity action. The program concluded with a dinner hosted by the Wetland City Network Secretariat, offering an informal space for networking and strengthening ties among Wetland Cities worldwide.
Partnering with the Convention on Wetlands
Explore how wetlands enhance our cities
This poster and accompanying fact sheet highlight their vital role in urban life and municipal management.
Cities play a critical role in protecting wetlands because many of these ecosystems are located within or near urban areas, where they face intense pressure from land-use change, pollution, and infrastructure development. Urban wetlands provide essential ecosystem services — such as flood regulation, water purification, carbon storage, and biodiversity support — that directly benefit city residents. Municipal governments have the authority to integrate wetland protection into land-use planning, enforce environmental regulations, restore degraded areas, and engage communities in environmental stewardship. By safeguarding wetlands, cities not only enhance climate resilience and disaster risk reduction but also improve public health, recreation, and cultural value. Through the WCA scheme, the Wetlands Convention recognizes urban areas as key actors in wetland conservation, highlighting the importance of local governance and partnerships in meeting global biodiversity and sustainability targets (Wetlands Convention Secretariat, 2018).
WETLAND CITY ACCREDITATION SCHEME
Recognizing the critical link between urban areas and wetland protection
According to the United Nations, 55% of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, with this number projected to grow to 68% by 2050. While wetland ecosystems are increasingly being recognized as highly valuable natural assets that provide a wide range of benefits to urban communities, the services they provide are under immense pressure due to rapid urban expansion and human activity. With 35% loss globally since 1970, wetlands are our most threatened ecosystem, disappearing three times faster than forests.
The Convention is a unique multilateral environmental agreement (MEA), not only because it is the oldest intergovernmental treaty focusing on biodiversity conservation, pre-dating the Rio Conventions, but also because it has a distinctive scheme for cities. The Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme, which was adopted under the Convention at COP12 in 2015, serves as a mechanism to encourage voluntary protection and accreditation of urban wetlands under the Convention. This scheme is coordinated by the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC), which reports to the COP Standing Committee, and focuses on urban wetlands by encouraging cities to recognize the importance of their wetlands and commit to their protection and sustainable use.
For over a decade, ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC) has been a dedicated partner in the global effort to protect urban wetlands. As a permanent member of the Wetland City Accreditation Independent Advisory Committee since its inception, ICLEI CBC plays a vital role in:
- Promoting the scheme to cities worldwide
- Evaluating applications and ensuring rigorous standards
- Showcasing city achievements on the international stage, including at Ramsar COP award ceremonies