Notification
Diplomatic Note 2023/6 Wetland City Accreditation – Call for applications
Date: 01.06.2023
CONVENTION ON WETLANDS
CONVENTION SUR LES ZONES HUMIDES
CONVENCIÓN SOBRE LOS HUMEDALES
(Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
Diplomatic Note 2023/6
Wetland City Accreditation – Call for applications
The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands presents its compliments to the Permanent Missions and Administrative Authorities of the Contracting Parties to the Convention, and has the honour to refer to the following:
Call for applications to the third edition of the Wetland City Accreditation
Following the adoption of Resolution XII.10 on Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention[1] at the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention (COP12, 2015), its updating through the adoption of Resolution XIV.10[2] at COP14 in November 2022, and the intersessional decision of the Standing Committee of 8 May 2023, the Secretariat of the Convention is pleased to launch the call for applications to the third edition of the Wetland City Accreditation of the Convention on Wetlands for the 2023-2025 triennium.
The Accreditation encourages cities that are close to and dependent on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance but also wetlands with other conservation category status, to develop and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems, for example through increased participation and public awareness, as well as a careful consideration of wetlands in municipal planning and decision-making.
The Wetland City Accreditation further aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
A candidate city will be assessed and may be recommended as an Accredited Wetland City by the scheme’s Independent Advisory Committee, after being proposed by the Contracting Party (through its National Focal Point or the Head of its Administrative Authority for the Convention) on whose territory it stands.
In its decision of May 2023, the Standing Committee of the Convention endorsed the Operational Guidance for Wetland City Accreditation, which includes, inter alia: a nomination form; guidance for cities and other human settlements on how to complete the nomination form; guidance for Administrative Authorities and National Focal Points; and information on the application procedure, including conditions and deadlines for submission. The Operational Guidance can be found at the following link: https://www.ramsar.org/document/operational-guidance-for-wetland-city-accreditation-of-the-ramsar-convention-on-wetlands.
Cities complying with each accreditation criterion described within Resolution XIV.10 are invited to complete the nomination form and to transmit it to their National Focal Point or Head of Administrative Authority.
The deadline for the Head of the Administrative Authority or the National Focal Point to forward the nomination form to the Convention Secretariat is 30 November 2023.
Call for applications for renewal of Wetland City Accreditation[3]
In the first two editions of the Accreditation (for 2016-2018 and for 2019-2022) 43 cities were recognized as Accredited Wetland Cities by the Contracting Parties at COP13 and COP14.
The Accreditation is valid for two COP cycles (six years in ordinary circumstances). Cities for which this period will be ending in 2025 can apply to renew their accreditation status by completing the renewal form, which is also included in the Operational Guidance, and submitting it to their National Focal Point.
The renewal form will be checked by the National Focal Point who, if the submission is complete and satisfies the operational guidance, will forward it to the Secretariat.
The candidate city’s renewal will then be assessed by the Independent Advisory Committee, which will decide whether to recommend the city as a renewed Accredited Wetland City.
The deadline for the National Focal Point to forward the renewal form to the Convention Secretariat is 30 November 2023.
The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands respectfully avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Missions and Administrative Authorities of the Contracting Parties to the Convention the assurance of its highest consideration.
[3] This request is specifically for the 18 cities that were awarded Accredited Wetland City status during COP13 in 2018, from the following countries: China, France, Hungary, Madagascar, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia.
Gland, 1 June 2023
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Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel. +41 22 999 0365; fax +41 22 999 0169 |