Known generally as the Ramsar Convention (after the city in Iran where it originated), this treaty was established in 1971 in recognition of the importance of wetlands as regulators of water regimes and as habitats supporting significant species of plants and animals, especially waterbirds which provide a reliable indicator of the health of wetlands. 

The convention recognizes the economic, cultural, scientific and recreational values of wetlands. It aims to stem the progressive encroachment on, and resultant loss of wetland habitats.

Because waterbirds migrate across international borders, and even between continents, their conservation and the protection of their habitat is seen as an international issue.

Namibia acceded to this convention in 1995 and has, to date, declared four Ramsar sites: Orange River Mouth (jointly with South Africa), Sandwich Harbour, Walvis Bay Lagoon and Etosha Pan. The inclusion of a wetland on this list does not prejudice our right to manage and use these areas according to our best interests, but it places a greater responsibility on us to use them sustainably and not to threaten their existence and integrity through inappropriate development.

Click here to read the full text of the convention.

Namibia's official contact person: Holger Kolberg