Paper on the diversity and benefits of National Ramsar Committees now available 

The Ramsar Secretariat has prepared an information paper that illustrates some of the diverse approaches Parties have utilized to create and operate National Ramsar/wetlands Committees (NRCs).

The Paper, also available in French and Spanish, examines the experiences of six NRCs from Africa, Asia, Europe, Neotropics, North America and Oceania, that, like many other NRCs around the world, have helped deliver the objectives of the Convention and effectively promote the wise use of wetlands; the paper reviews their different structures, composition, decision-making processes, as well as successes and obstacles in delivering the goals of the Convention.

Based on the case studies’ analysis, review of existing documents and the experience of the Secretariat’s regional teams in working with Ramsar Contracting Parties, the Paper also provides a set of common principles of best practices in the creation and operations of NRCs.

Case studies include:

Africa: Uganda’s National Wetlands Advisory Group (NWAG)
Asia: Thailand’s National Committee on Wetlands Management (NCWM)
Europe: Austria’s National Ramsar Committee
Neotropics: Colombia’s National Ramsar Committee
North America: United States’ National Ramsar Committee (USNRC)
Oceania: Fiji’s National Wetlands Steering Committee (NWSC)

» Read the Paper here (PDF).

» For more information about sharing experience and lessons learnt from other Committees, have a look at the dedicated page about NRCs here.