The Wetlands & Water Resources Programme of IUCN - The World Conservation Union aims to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, so that these ecosystems meet the needs of human society and make a greater contribution to the conservation of biological diversity.

Our Mission

We guide and assist IUCN members and partners to find new ways for the sustainable use of wetlands and water resources.

We advise on the management and restoration of these ecosystems to achieve socio-economic development while conserving biological diversity.

Key activities

Designing policies: We contribute to wetland and water policies development and implementation around the world. Demonstrating sustainable management: We manage water resources and restore wetlands in field projects. Developing and sharing knowledge: We increase the understanding of the ecological, social and economic processes in wetland conservation.

Empowering people: We encourage and enable communities and institutions to improve wetland management.

Assisting Conventions: Through all our activities, we assist governments in the implementation of international environmental agreements, especially the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification.