Legal Affairs
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.
p styletextalign justifynbspp
p styletextalign justifyThe Contracting Partiesnbspp
p styletextalign justifystrongRecognizingstrongnbspthe interdependence of man and his environmentnbspp
p styletextalign justifystrongConsideringstrongnbspthe fundamental ecological functions of wetlands as regulators of water régimes and as habitats supporting a characteristic flora and fauna especially waterfowlnbspp
p styletextalign justifystrongBeing convincedstrongnbspthat wetlands constitute a resource of great economic cultural scientific and recreational value the loss of which would be irreparablenbspp
p styletextalign justifystrongDesiringstrongnbspto stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the futurenbspp
p styletextalign justifystrongRecognizingstrongnbspthat waterfowl in their seasonal migrations may transcend frontiers and so should be regarded as an international resourcenbspp
p styletextalign justifystrongBeing confidentstrongnbspthat the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna can be ensured by combining farsighted national policies with coordinated international actionnbspp
p styletextalign justifyHave agreed as followsnbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 1nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 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 metresnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 For the purpose of this Convention waterfowl are birds ecologically dependent on wetlandsnbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 2strongh5
p styletextalign justify1 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 Listnbspwhich 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 habitatnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 Wetlands should be selected for the List on account of their international significance in terms of ecologynbspbotany zoology limnology or hydrology In the first instance wetlands of international importance to waterfowl at any season should be includednbspp
p styletextalign justify3 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 situatednbspp
p styletextalign justify4 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 9nbspp
p styletextalign justify5 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 lime inform the organization or government responsible for the continuing bureau duties specified in Article 8 of any such changesnbspp
p styletextalign justify6 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 ils territorynbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 3nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 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 territorynbspp
p styletextalign justify2 Each Contracting Party shall arrange to be informed at the earliest possible time if the ecological character of any wetland in ifs 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 8nbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 4nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 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 wardeningnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 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 habitatnbspp
p styletextalign justify3 The Contracting Parties shall encourage research and the exchange of data and publications regarding wetlands and their flora and faunanbspp
p styletextalign justify4 The Contracting Parties shall endeavour through management to increase waterfowl populations on appropriate wetlandsnbspp
p styletextalign justify5 The Contracting Parties shall promote the training of personnel competent in the fields of wetland research management and wardeningnbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 5nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justifyThe 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 Partiesnbspp
p styletextalign justifyThey 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 faunanbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 6nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 The Contracting Parties shall as the necessity arises convene Conferences on the Conservation of Wetlands and Waterfowlnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 These Conferences shall have an advisory character and shall be competentnbspp
ol styleliststyletype loweralpha start1
li styletextalign justifyto discuss the implementation of this Conventionnbspli
li styletextalign justifyto discuss additions to and changes in the Listnbspli
li styletextalign justifyto consider information regarding changes ii the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 3nbspli
li styletextalign justifyto make general or specific recommendations to the Contracting Parties regarding the conservation management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and faunanbspli
li styletextalign justifyto request relevant international bodies to prepare reports and statistics on matters which are essentially international in character affecting wetlandsnbspli
ol
p styletextalign justify3 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 faunanbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 7nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 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 capacitiesnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 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 votesnbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 8nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 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 twothirds of all Contracting Partiesnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 The continuing bureau duties shall be inter alianbspp
ol styleliststyletype loweralpha start1
li styletextalign justifyto assist in the convening and organizing of Conferences specified in Article 6nbspli
li styletextalign justifyto 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 2nbspli
li styletextalign justifyto 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 31nbspli
li styletextalign justifyto forward notification of any alterations to the List or changes in character of wetlands included therein to aIl Contracting Parties and to arrange for these matters to be discussed at the next Conferencenbspli
li styletextalign justifyto 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 thereinnbspli
ol
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 9nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 This Convention shall remain open for signature indefinitelynbspp
p styletextalign justify2 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 bynbspp
ol styleliststyletype loweralpha start1
li styletextalign justifysignature without reservation as to ratificationnbspli
li styletextalign justifysignature subject to ratification followed by ratificationnbspli
li styletextalign justifyaccessionnbspli
ol
p styletextalign justify3 Ratification or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of ratification or accession with the DirectorGeneral of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization hereinafter referred to as the Depositorynbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 10strongh5
p styletextalign justify1 This Convention shall enter into force four months after seven States have become Parties to this Convention in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 9nbspp
p styletextalign justify2 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 accessionnbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 11strongnbsph5
p styletextalign justify1 This Convention shall continue in force for an indefinite periodnbspp
p styletextalign justify2 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 Depositorynbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
h5 styletextalign centerstrongArticle 12nbspstrongh5
p styletextalign justify1 The Depository shall inform all States that have signed and acceded to this Convention as soon as possible ofnbspp
ol styleliststyletype loweralpha start1
li styletextalign justifysignatures to the Conventionnbspli
li styletextalign justifydeposits of instruments of ratification of this Conventionnbspli
li styletextalign justifydeposits of instruments of accession to this Conventionnbspli
li styletextalign justifythe date of entry into force of this Conventionnbspli
li styletextalign justifynotifications of denunciation of this Conventionnbspli
ol
p styletextalign justify2 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 Charternbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
p styletextalign justifyIn WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned being duly authorized to that effect have signed this Conventionnbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
p styletextalign justifyDone 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 an Contracting Partiesp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
p styletextalign justifynbspp
Iran (Islamic Republic of) -
