The title of my project is “Convention on Wetlands” – Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, particularly as a habitat for waterfowl. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and entered into force in 1975, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation to the conservation and wise use of wetlands. wetlands and their resources. Context and Significance The first call for an international convention on wetlands came in 1962 at a conference that was part of Project MAR (from "MARshes", "MARécages", "Marianas"), organized by Dr Luc Hoffmann, a program established in 1960 following concern over the rate at which vast expanses of marshes and other wetlands in Europe were being “reclaimed” or otherwise destroyed, resulting in a decline in the number of waterfowl. Finally, in an international meeting organized by Mr. Eskander Firouz, director of the Iranian Department of Game and Fish, the text of the Convention was agreed on February 2, 1971 and signed by delegates from 18 nations the following day. The Convention entered into force in December 1975, following the receipt by UNESCO, custodian of the Convention, of the seventh instrument of accession or ratification of the Convention, originating from Greece. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on the topic "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get an original essay Since its adoption, the Ramsar Convention has been amended on two occasions: by a protocol (a new treaty amending the original treaty) in December 1982, and by a series of amendments to the original treaty, known as the “Amendments Regina” of 1987. Mission of the Convention "The conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution to achieving sustainable development in the world". Originally the Convention was established to protect wetland habitats for waterfowl conservation, but now seeks to ensure the protection of all important wetlands The importance of wetlands is as follows: Wetlands provide critical ecological services and are regulators of water regimes and sources of biodiversity at all levels: species, genetics and ecosystem. Wetlands constitute a resource of great economic, scientific, cultural and recreational value for the community. Wetlands play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The progressive invasion and loss of wetlands causes serious and sometimes irreparable environmental damage to the provision of ecosystem services. Wetlands should be restored and rehabilitated whenever possible. Wetlands should be conserved by ensuring their rational use. Research Questions What is the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and why conserve wetlands? Which wetlands are included in the Convention? Why an Intergovernmental Convention on Wetlands and why do nations join the Ramsar Convention? Who can join the Ramsar Convention and what are the commitments of the Parties acceding to the Ramsar Convention? What are the objectives of the Ramsar Strategic Plan and the “three pillars” of the Convention? How does the Ramsar Convention integrate with other environment-related conventions? How does the Ramsar Convention work? Research methodology For the purpose of this project I resorted to the methodology of secondary sources. A secondary source of research methodology incorporates the use of books, articles, journals, as well.