The Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016–24
Vision: “Wetlands are conserved, wisely used, restored andtheir benefits are recognized and valued by all.”The Fourth Ramsar Strategic plan lays out a new vision under the Convention mission, four overall
goals and 19 specific targets which are designed to support the efforts of Parties, partners andother stakeholders in preventing, stopping and reversing the global decline of wetlands.

Strategic Goal 1:
Addressing the Drivers of Wetland
Loss And Degradation

Strategic Goal 2:
Effectively Conserving and Managing
the Ramsar Site Network

Human impacts on wetlands are growing. Influencing the driversof wetland degradation and loss and the integration of the role ofwetland values (monetary and non-monetary) into planning anddecision making requires the development of a methodology thatenables wetland resources and ecosystem benefits to be assessedso that the multiple environmental functions and benefits areunderstood widely within societies. Contracting Parties, theSecretariat, Regional Initiatives and IOPs will enhance theirengagement with relevant stakeholders in order
to diminish threats, influence trends, restore wetlands andcommunicate good practices.

Ramsar Sites constitute the largest network of officially recognizedinternationally important wetland areas in the world. This network
constitutes the backbone of a larger network of wetlands. Parties
must commit themselves to efforts to protect and effectively
manage the existing Ramsar Sites and enable the full and effective
participation of stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local
communities, as well as to expanding the reach of the Convention
by continuously working to add more sites and areas of wetlands
recognized under the Convention.

1	Wetland benefits are featured in national/local policy strategies
and plans relating to key sectors such as water, energy, mining,agriculture, tourism, urban development, infrastructure,industry, forestry, aquaculture, fisheries at the nationaland local level.

	
Water use respects wetland ecosystem needs for them to fulfil2
their functions and provide services at the appropriate scaleinter alia at the basin level or along a coastal zone.

5	The ecological character of Ramsar sites is maintainedor restored, through effective planning and integratedmanagement.
6	
There is a significant increase in area, numbers and ecologicalconnectivity in the Ramsar Site network, in particular underrepresented types of wetlands including in under-represented
ecoregions and Transboundary Sites.
7	Sites that are at risk of change of ecological character havethreats addressed.

3	The public and private sectors have increased their efforts toapply guidelines and good practices for the wise use of waterand wetlands.

The Ramsar Mission:
Conservation and wise useof all wetlands through local
and national actions andinternational cooperation, as acontribution towards achieving
sustainable development
throughout the world.

4	Invasive alien species and pathways of introduction andexpansion are identified and prioritized, priority invasive alien
species are controlled or eradicated, and management responses
are prepared and implemented to prevent their introductionand establishment.

Strategic Goal 3:
Wisely Using All Wetlands

Operational Goal 4:
Enhancing Implementation

The wise use of all wetlands requires that Parties ensure they areaddressing wetlands beyond those currently included in the Ramsar
Site network. This work may occur at the national, subnational,regional, and transboundary levels, including at basin level.
Mainstreaming recognition of ecosystem functions, services andbenefits into a wide range of sectors and with a broad array of actors
will help ensure the success of this effort.

It will be vital for the survival of wetlands and the success of theConvention for Parties to enhance implementation of the Strategic Plan.
Various approaches will help strengthen the implementation of the three
Strategic Goals, and ultimately of the Convention itself. They involve
critical actions to be undertaken by Contracting Parties themselves, and inpartnership with other Parties and other entities, in particular with regard
to scientific and technical advice and guidance, resource mobilization,
public awareness, visibility and capacity building. The Ramsar Secretariat
will also play a vital role in raising awareness and visibility of theConvention, as well as mobilizing resources to support
enhanced implementation.

8	National wetland inventories have been initiated, completedorupdated and disseminated and used for promoting theconservation and effective management of all wetlands.
9	The wise use of wetlands is strengthened through integrated
resource management at the appropriate scale, inter alia, withina river basin or along a coastal zone.
10	
The traditional knowledge, innovations and practices ofindigenous peoples and local communities relevant for the wiseuse of wetlands and their customary use of wetland resources
are documented, respected, subject to national legislation andrelevant international obligations, and fully integrated andreflected in the implementation of the Convention, with a fulland effective participation of indigenous peoples and local
communities at all relevant levels.
11	Wetland functions, services and benefits are widely
demonstrated, documented and disseminated.	12	
Restoration is in progress in degraded wetlands, with priority towetlands that are relevant for biodiversity conservation, disasterrisk reduction, livelihoods and/or climate change mitigation
and adaptation.
13	Enhanced sustainability of key sectors such as water, energy,mining, agriculture, tourism, urban development, infrastructure,industry, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, when they affectwetlands, contributing to biodiversity conservation andhuman livelihoods.

14	
Scientific guidance and technical methodologies at global and regional
levels are developed on relevant topics and are available to policy
makers and practitioners in an appropriate format and language.

15	Ramsar Regional Initiatives with the active involvement and supportof the Parties in each region are reinforced and developed into
effective tools to assist in the full implementation of the Convention.

16	
Wetlands conservation and wise use are mainstreamed throughcommunication, capacity development, education, participationand awareness.

17	
Financial and other resources for effectively implementing thefourth Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016 – 2024 from all sources
are made available.

18	International cooperation is strengthened at all levels.

19	Capacity building for implementation of the Convention and thefourth Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016 – 2024 is enhanced.