Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat.

Print Page

Download Treaty PDF

Treaty Code:

M1971/35

Treaty Type:

Multilateral

Common Name:

Ramsar Convention

Responsible Department:

Administering Department:

Treaty Status:

In Force

Treaty Summary:

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (known as the Ramsar Convention) is aimed at “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide essential services and supply all our fresh water. However they continue to be degraded and converted to other uses.

The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.

Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:

work towards the wise use of all their wetlands;
designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management;
cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.

NZ Adherence Status:

In Force

Adherence Type:

Definitively signed

Signature Date:

13/08/1976

Adherence Date:

13/08/1976

Expired:

Date Concluded:

02/02/1971

Place Concluded:

Ramsar, Iran

Entry Into Force Date:

21/12/1975

NZ Entry Into Force Date:

13/12/1976

Termination Date:

Withdrawal Date:

Withdrawal Notification Date:

NZ Objections:

NZ Reservations:

NZ Declarations:

NZ Territorial Applications:

Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

NZTS Number:

NZTS 1976 NO 21

UNTS Number:

996 UNTS 246

Associated Treaties:

M1987/12, M1982/12

Other References:

ATS 1975 NO 48
UKTS 1976 NO 34
11 ILM 963
CTS 1981 NO 9

Treaty Text Link:

treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume 996/volume-996-I-14583-English.pdf.

Parties:

Contact Information:

If you would like more information about this Treaty please contact us using our contact form.