Wetlands International

Annual Review
and Accounts 2017

Contents
From the CEO

4

From the Chair

6

1. Strategy of Wetlands International

8

2. Achievements

10

3. Corporate Communications

24

4. Functioning of the organisation

28

5. Resourcing the global organisation

34

Annual accounts

36

Annexes2

List of projects

64

List of publications

71

Supervisory Council & Board of Association

73

Management Team75

Members of the Association

76

Partnerships

77

Associate experts

79

Specialist Groups

80

Donors80

Corporate Social Responsibility

81

Contacts

83

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

A rainforest bluewing dragonfly in Brazil

Wetlands International

3

From
the
CEO
Wetlands International has continued its’ workin Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America and the
Caribbean to show how managing wetlands canopen the door to sustainable development and be
effective in building resilience to climate change. We
also demonstrated the link between the condition of
wetlands, human security and peace. In this report
you can find many promising examples, including our“breakthrough” achievements under each Stream of
our Strategic Intent. These outcomes are the fruits ofmany years of work and are a cause to celebrate. The
results help us to build momentum for scaling up ourefforts.
During 2017 the world paid increasing attention
to rising water risks, as many devastating floods,
droughts and storms hit the headlines and the
UN declared it the costliest year ever for extreme
weather and climate events. The role of healthy
ecosystems, particularly wetlands, in preventing
water crises and buffering the impacts was not
so much highlighted, while we have continued tobuild the evidence base for investing in wetlands
as climate buffers in all regions during the year
and expanded our role in facilitating action,
particularly in urbanising deltas.

In the report we also mention some new alliances andprogrammes which are concrete means for scaling up
and increasing the impact of our work. For example,
we established a long-term programme for mangrove
conservation at the continental level in Africa andwe joined the Global Mangrove Alliance to combine
forces with NGO partners for a global level outcome.
Last but not least I would like to mention that wewelcomed the chance to work with a range of newpartners in 2017, to gain the support of a number of
additional donors and to bring on board additional
Associate Experts. Together with the continued
invaluable support of our government and NGO
members, these additional supporters have enrichedthe organisation. Thank you all!

Jane Madgwick
Chief Executive Officer

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Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Zizania use for fish and cattle fodder - Loktak Lake

Wetlands International

5

From
the
Chair
The increasing profile and outreach of theorganisation continued with the initiation of major,
long-term programmes, especially in Africa and Latin
America. The organisation continued to broaden
its donor base and to extend its partnerships andalliances, including joining forces with internationalNGOs, for example to step up efforts to safeguard andrestore mangroves, as well as engaging the private
sector to develop business cases for improving theirperformance in relation to wetlands. The organisation
was very active in influencing national, regional andglobal policy agendas, including highlighting therelevance of wetlands to issues of involuntary human
The Supervisory Council’s activities during theyear 2017 included working closely with theManagement Team to take steps to improvethe effectiveness and professionalism of theorganisation, both in the Head Office and in
the regional offices. This has helped improve
our internal management and to support ourengagement with stakeholders, resulting also insome important new partnerships and donors
coming on board. 2017 saw a move from a
Management Board (MB), comprising of CEO andmigration and climate change. The production ofsome landmark publications have helped to promotethese dialogues.
On behalf of the Supervisory Council, I would liketo thank the Management Team and all Wetlands
International employees for their continued hard
work towards reaching the organisation’s objective of
safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people andnature. We look forward to continuing the progress
and achieving the milestones set during 2018.

CEO, to a Management Team(MT), adding a newly
appointed Head of Programmes and the Head ofCommunication and Advocacy.

André van der Zande
Chair

For the Supervisory Council/Board of Association

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Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Hand-net fishing in Laos

Wetlands International

7

1.
Our
strategy
Wetlands International’s VISION is a world where
wetlands are treasured and nurtured for theirbeauty, the life they support and the resources

Healthy Wetland Nature

Wetlands support a healthy biodiversity and deliver afull range of ecosystem services. Wetland species arethey provide.

no longer in decline. Use of wetlands by stakeholders,

Our MISSION is to sustain and restore wetlands,

biodiversity. People all over the world are inspired byranging from local communities to industry, respects

their resources and biodiversity.

the natural wonders of wetlands, such as the miracle

Our ultimate GOAL is that wetlands are used wisely

understand that wetlands are an essential source ofand restored for the role they play in improving
human well-being and local livelihoods –conserving biodiversity, sustaining the water cycle
and reducing climate change and its impacts.

of migration of many kinds of waterbirds. Theylife and a basis for sustainable development.

Vibrant Coasts & Deltas

People safeguard and nurture mangroves and otherwetlands in deltas and along coasts. These wetlands

We aim to focus our work on the issues and places

are the basis of a prosperous economy in bothwhere wetlands matter the most to people andcities and rural areas, providing rich resources andnature. We have chosen five Streams for our work

protecting people from the ravages of storms andand developed a vision and Implementation

floods.

Strategy with targets for each one. The framingof our work under five Streams helps to facilitate
programme development, the alignment of
resources and tracking of progress. Here are ourvisions for each Stream:

Blue Lifelines in the Desert

Life in arid and semi-arid landscapes is revived by
securing freshwater flows. Recovery of drylands
and wetlands such as floodplains and lakes createsa productive blue-green mosaic. This dynamic
landscape halts the encroaching desert and provides
a lifeline for animals and people who move andmigrate seasonally.

Replenished Water Stores from
Mountains to Sea

The degradation of wetlands of critical importance forwater storage from mountainous regions to the sea
is reversed. They will again feed the rivers with water,
reduce the risks of harmful flooding and provide
renewed opportunities for biodiversity. This creates amore productive and safer landscape for millions ofpeople and nature downstream.

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Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Orangutans are found in peatland forests of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Peatland Treasures are safeguarded
and restored

own experience. We use this to stimulate governments

revealed: their tremendous carbon storage, ability

throughout our programmes and is the basis for scaling

The full value of peatlands all over the world isto regulate and purify water and precious natural
beauty. From the Arctic to the tropics, and fromthe high mountains to the sea, we maintain thesetreasure troves. We prevent the fires and halt harmful
reclamations that literally put them up in smoke anddown the drain. And we reverse degradation by rewetting desiccated soils and promote their sustainable

and companies to develop and implement effective
policies. This science-policy-practice approach runs
up our impact and informing and enabling others totake action.
Our approach emphasises empowering those who use
or depend on wetlands. Our experience proves thatpolicies and investments can be strongly influenced
through a bottom-up process. By working with localuse.

partners and building the capacity of local communities

How we work

civil society with knowledge and skills to more

The ways in which we work to achieve our mission,
vision and ultimate goal reflect the nature of wetlands
as ecosystems and the wider biophysical and social
context in which they sit. As wetlands are dynamic andconnected to water flows in the wider landscape, weneed to take a systems approach to their conservation
and wise use so they can maintain the water cycle
which in turn underpins sustainable development.
Maintaining or restoring the “health” or ecologicalintegrity of individual wetlands can depend on taking
action far away – and conversely the benefits of water
storage and flood regulation from wetlands can be
felt a long way downstream. Another key dimension tosustaining and restoring wetlands is the long historyof human use and strong cultural connections that
continue to shape this use. For these reasons, we adopt
an integrated socio-ecological approach to conserveand restore wetlands that takes account of the fullrange of benefits that wetlands provide to society in an
entire landscape or watershed.
Our growing influence and impact as an organisation islinked to our approach connecting technical knowledge,
policy dialogue and practical projects in the field. Usingscientific knowledge makes us a well trusted source of
information, while powerful demonstration projects
inspire people to act. We engage in advocacy on topics
for which we have developed knowledge and have ourwhose lives closely connect to wetlands, we empower
effectively engage with governments and the private
sector, influencing decisions which affect them butwhich are made nationally and even internationally.
To leverage significant change, we need governments,
the private sector and civil society to act individuallyand jointly. Wetlands International works with allof these sectors and with knowledge institutions,
often acting as a connector and broker for joined up
initiatives. We engage in strategic partnerships as ameans to enable both the public and private sector tosafeguard and restore wetlands. Specific knowledge
products, tools and pilot examples are enablingmechanisms. By connecting our work across offices
and through partner networks, we combine local
experiences and successes and scale up our impact
to influence national, regional and global policies,
practices and investments.
We have learnt that while we can demonstrate small
scale successes in just a few years, bringing about
positive change for people and nature in large wetland
systems and watersheds takes time. Often it takes morethan a decade. Therefore, we work for the long-termin major wetlands areas. We invest strongly in thedevelopment of local and national relationships
through our presence and forge innovative andstrategic partnerships to maximise our reach andimpact.
Wetlands International

9

2.
Achievements
This chapter presents the achievements that wererealised in 2017 and to which we, together withmany other partners, have contributed. We haveorganised these achievements along our fivestreams of work. For these five streams, which are5

On track to exceed
target (we will achieve
the target before 2020)

divided into sub-strategies, we have developed
targets that we aim to achieve by the year 2020.
Based on our achievements, the below overview
summarises how we assess the progress we aremaking towards these targets.

4

3

2

We expect to achieve
the target by 2020

Substantial progress,
more time required toreach our target

So far, there is no
significant overall
progress

The situation is1

deteriorating and we
can’t manage to make
improvements

Ratings are based on self assessment.

10

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Sub-strategies & targets for 2020

State of progress
to target

Explanation

HEALTHY WETLAND NATURE
Ambitious, large scale initiatives were mobilised thatwill enable concerted action to benefit ‘iconic wetlands’

1. Halt and reverse the loss of wetland

and flagship species along coasts, in peatlands, riverine,

habitat and species

The extent and quality of habitat has been
improved in 5 iconic wetland ecoregions

3

worldwide and the conservation status ofmangrove and delta ecoregions in Africa, Asia, Middle
East and Latin America and more ambitious work is in
the pipeline. Through our work on flyways and on iconic
wetlands, many more wetland management decisions

10 flagship species has been improved.

include biodiversity and ecosystem service values. Most
significant impacts are likely to be realised beyond 2020.
Our work with governments and private sector
companies in Uganda, Indonesia, Iraq and Brunei

2. Investment in wetlands as Natural
Capital3 Showcase public and private investments
in wetlands as Natural Capital deliver

continues to leverage investments in wetlands as

4natural capital and new initiatives in Malaysia, Nigeria
and Russia are starting. Although the practicalities ofquantifying these investments and communicating thesustainable development.

outcomes needs further work, we are achieving impact in
an increasing number of sites.

VIBRANT COASTS & DELTAS
We have continued our work in five high-value coastal
wetland systems. Under the Global Mangrove Alliance we

1. Maintain intact coastal wetland
environments

3 High value coastal wetlands totaling atleast 150,000 hectares are conserved andhave started to develop synergies with the programmes

4of Conservation International, IUCN, the Nature
Conservancy, WWF and others. By bringing together thediverse skill-sets of the different organisations we will beable to more easily reach our goals and leverage funding

restored.

to scale up our work. We should be able to achieve
impact by 2020.
2. Sustainable coastal production systems
A model for integrated wetland landscapemanagement involving conservation andproduction systems (rice, oil-palm andaquaculture) is implemented in 2 areas,

We are well on track to reach our goals for both3

aquaculture and rice farming. Measures for restoration ofmangroves in abandoned rice fields in Guinea-Bissau are
currently being upscaled and replicated in Tanzania.

contributing to environmental and foodsecurity.

We introduced the Building with Nature approach

3. Degraded coastlines and heavily

in a number of projects in Asia and Latin America.

modified environments, including urban
areas

Building with Nature is mainstreamed in
3 landmark urban planning and hydraulic

Pilot projects are currently connected in regional

4

programmes and a global initiative on sustainable urban
development. This offers opportunities for addressing
barriers to upscaling of Building with Nature throughinfrastructure developments, enhancing

a joint approach, and for connecting site-based planscommunity resilience.

for Building with Nature with multi-lateral donors andinvestors.

Wetlands International

11

Sub-strategies & targets for 2020

State of progress
to target

Explanation
Our dialogues on sustainable delta management in
Asia, Africa and Latin America resulted in adoption of

4. Integrated management of deltas
Healthy ecosystems sustain humanpopulations and biodiversity in 10 key

4

deltas across the world.

management plans in five target deltas. This ensures
the protection and restoration of environmental values
and that the needs of diverse stakeholder groups are
considered. It is expected that similar plans will be
adapted in the other target deltas.

BLUE LIFELINES FORA RESILIENT SAHEL
Knowledge and tool development and civil society
capacity building have continued in the Upper Niger
and Ewasu Ny’iro and Sourou basins to help safeguard
1. Blue Lifelines for a resilient Sahel
Improved status of at least 3 major wetland
systems in the Sahel, as part of efforts toachieve sustainable and climate resilient

major wetlands. Our plans to work in the Sudd have been

3

initiated. Engagement and support to governance anddecision-making bodies and organisations from local towatershed scales is increasing, building on developmentof capacity in our local partners. The overall status ofdevelopment.

these major systems depends on the nature of large
scale energy and agriculture investments that are yet to
be made.

REPLENISHED WATER STORESFROM MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA
An initiative in the Andes has been initiated, focusing

1. Save and restore mountain water towers
Investments in restoration and sustainable
management of high altitude wetlands in 2
ecoregions committed to by governmentson two important wetlands in Peru and Argentina. Early3

results are already promising with local partners andcommunities enthusiastic and asking to consider means
for upscaling and replication. An eco-regional initiativeand International Finance Institutions.

for the Andean wetlands is being proposed.
We are active in many catchments and river basinsbuilding the capacity of civil society to engage with

2. Water and food secure wetland

government and private sector to address key policy

communities

Public and private investmentcommitments in 6 watersheds to safeguard

gaps, investments and implementation challenges.

4

Increasingly we are becoming influential in policy andinvestment in many of these basins with good examples

and restore freshwater wetlands asin the Ziway-Shalla basin in Ethiopia, Agusan in themeasures for water and food security.

Philippines. New programmes in the Mediterranean
including in the Sebou basin, Morocco show further
promise for the future.
A large-scale, long-term programme has been initiatedin the Parana-Paraguay river corridor spanning Argentina

3. Floodplains for safety and security
Public and private investmentcommitments for 3 flagship landscape scale
floodplain restoration programmes

and Brazil, where investments in floodplain management

3

and restoration are foreseen, especially in the Lujan
River, Argentina. Work is continuing in the Ganges
floodplains in Bihar and our European Office has beenbuilding networks and partnerships to influence thereviews of major European water legislation.

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Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Sub-strategies & targets for 2020

State of progress
to target

Explanation

PEATLAND TREASURESSAFEGUARDED
Through our work on guidance and strategy development
intact peatlands were prioritized for protection inIndonesia, Mongolia, Russia and Europe. Intact peatland
have been given priority conservation status in fire and

1. Protect and conserve the remaining

haze mitigation plans in Indonesia and Russia. Overintact peatlands

Governments and key private sector actors(drivers of conversion) in at least 4 key
peatland regions have active policies to

20 percent of the global palm oil production and most3of the Indonesian pulpwood production ensured theidentification and management of high conservation
status peatlands. Unfortunately, the companies thatavoid the development, conversion anddo not commit to sustainable production continuedegradation of intact peatlands.

conversion of intact peatlands. To counter this there isa need for ensuring a level playing field for the whole
sector through national regulation which will enable us
to reach our target.
Capacity building and advice to governments of

2. Rehabilitate and restore degradedIndonesia, Russia and Mongolia is improving the successpeatlandsof the implementation of the rehabilitation of 3 million

Governments and key (peatland based)
private sector invest in at least 5 peatland
regions have reversed the degradationof over 3 million hectares of degradedhectares of degraded peatlands, mainly in Indonesia

4

and Russia. Industry players in the palm oil and pulp
for paper sector have enhanced their contribution to
government-set goals in Indonesia through collaboration

peatlands (7% of the global area ofon landscape scale with civil society, government anddegrading peatlands) achieving substantial

with our technical advice. So, we anticipate our target

GHG emission reductions.

will be met.
Through establishing and operating a new Fund,
we have enhanced the capacity and stimulated the

3. Develop and promote sustainable

implementation of community-based sustainableland-use on re-wetted peatlands

land-use on re-wetted peatlands in Indonesia. However,

Governments and key (peatland based)
private sector (e.g. palm oil, pulp for paper,
biofuels) as well as local communities areactively piloting or upscaling paludiculture

the mechanisms for upscaling are not in place. And3there are no plans by government nor private sector tophase-out peatland drainage use beyond pilots. We willencourage private sector more to established (RSPO, FSC)

as an innovative means for sustainable

and new platforms to enhance sharing of pilot results toand peatland landscape management andstimulate learning, identification of knowledge gaps andclimate change mitigation.

policy needs. This will enable us to show the businesscase for governments to recognize this solution to curb
public costs while keeping productive use of peatlands.

Wetlands International

13

Healthy wetland nature
Halt and reverse the loss of wetland
habitat and species“Villavicencio Natural Reserve” in Mendoza province,
Argentina designated as a Ramsar site

In December 2017, the Villavicencio Natural Reserve,with an area of 72,000 ha of different types of wetlands

BREAKTHROUGH		
Wetland values revealed along Indian
Ocean coast
As part of our Coasts Count! Campaign, newcoastal wetland territories were surveyed in theInternational Waterbird Census. Important new
counts include Bahrain, Seychelles, Réunion and
the British Indian Ocean Territory. This led to therecognition of the importance of coastal wetlands
for waterbirds and support for the designation of
the wetland Barr Al Hikman in Oman, as a Ramsarsite of international importance.

typical from the arid Cuyo region in Argentina wasdesignated as a new Ramsar site, being the third
Ramsar Site in the Mendoza province. We carried out
the wetlands inventory within the reserve, prepared theSite Information Sheet and provided technical advice inthe designation process.
Argentina National Wetland Inventory provides betterdata and information for wetlands conservation andmanagement

In Argentina, the Ministry of Environment andother stakeholders now have better access to thecharacteristics and location of wetland ecosystems
within Argentina as the knowledgebase for theirconservation and management. This is the result of
the reactivation of the Argentina National Wetland
Inventory following discussions about the MinimumStandard Law for wetlands conservation. This wasachieved through our partnership with the Ministry andvarious universities. We have worked for 20 years as
one of the key partners leading the National Wetland
Inventory process, while one recent result is the
publication of the first Wetland Regions of Argentina(see the list of publications 2017), a project in which wewere the lead partner.

Lagunas de Guanacache, Argentina

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Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Compilation of key guidelines and lessons learned forStrengthened Asian Waterbird Census sets an example

wetland conservation made available in Japanfor citizen science initiatives in Indonesia

Wetlands International contributed to connect people

In Indonesia, we achieved substantial volunteer

for better access to key information, experiences, skills

engagement since 2016 through coordinating andand approaches for wetland conservation and wisepromoting the Asian Waterbird Census, an importantuse obtained in Japan, through joining a consortium of

citizen science initiative. With support from National

partners including the Ramsar Center Japan, the Japan

Geographic Society, this resulted in engaging almost

Wetland Society, the Ministry of the Environment and

300 volunteers and 44 birdwatching groups, coveringothers to hold a Wetlands Symposium. Together we

142 sites in 21 out of 34 provinces, recording almost

compiled, edited and published a report, presented in

70,000 waterbirds and 52% of Indonesia’s waterbird

the Asian Wetlands Symposium (2017), which will also

species. University Students and Conservation

be presented in the Ramsar COP13 in 2018.

Staff received coaching on waterbird monitoring.
As a consequence, the Census was adopted by the

Wetland management by competent authorities inprestigious National Partnership on Migratory Birds

China better informed

as a model for country-wide citizen science approach.

The China State Forestry Administration have approved

National ministries launched it as a mechanism toaccess to and assimilated relevant knowledge from

implement Indonesia commitment to the East Asianbest practices in wetland management, restoration

Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) at nationaland compensation mechanism through technicallevel – which only few countries have.

inputs, training programmes, and overseas study tours,
organised by Wetlands International in China.

Investment in wetlands as Natural Capital

Policy-relevant dialogues developed with Ethiopian

Housing developers and waste water companies ingovernment

While working on the re-allocation of water to Lake
Abijatta in the Rift Valley in Ethiopia in order to safe
it as a biodiversity hotspot, Wetlands International
held a number of engagements with the government.
After a few meetings an opening was created to starta dialogue on a Wetlands Proclamation, Wetlands
Regulation, the mainstreaming of wetlands indevelopment policies and strategies, development of astand-alone wetland policy & strategy and, last but notleast, accession to the Ramsar Convention.

Malaysia include wetlands in urban development
In Malaysia, urban development is undergoing aparadigm shift from traditional grey infrastructure
to green infrastructure: wetlands are increasingly
integrated into development schemes, not only
contributing to wetland conservation but also for
reducing water-related risks (e.g. flooding, pollution). As
a result of our promotion of the potential of wetlands
in an urban setting amongst government, industries
and the general public, two prominent housingdevelopment companies in Malaysia are now working
with the concept of ‘Living within Nature’ by including
wetlands in their housing developments. Wastewater
managers asked us for advice on constructed urban
wetlands for green treatment methods.

Functional urban wetland for
filtration at National HydraulicResearch Institute of Malaysia.

Wetlands International

15

The majestic mangrove trees that make up the canopy of mangroves forest in Rufiji Delta

Vibrant coasts and deltas
Maintain intact wetland environments

Sustainable coastal production systems

Global Mangrove Alliance kicked off concerted global
efforts for mangrove

Conservation International, IUCN, The Nature
Conservancy, WWF and Wetlands International
established the Global Mangrove Alliance, a new

Enabling mangroves to recover naturally

mangrove conservation effort, that aims to increase

NGOs and government partners in Guinea-

total mangrove cover with 20% by 2030. The Alliance

Bissau, Philippines and Indonesia have started

will bring dozens of NGOs, government agencies

to apply ecological mangrove restoration

together, facilitating action on the ground, knowledge

approaches restoring 150 ha. We reacheddevelopment and policy dialogue. Based on athousands of mangrove professionals worldwide,

common strategy, it will support improved mangrove

informing them about new mangrove restoration

management that contributes to climate mitigation,

approaches that succeed through creating theadaptation, food security, coastal protection andright conditions for natural recovery. The brochurebiodiversity conservation. Dialogues between“to plant or not to plant” was disseminated in 10

the alliance partners have already resulted in thelanguages.

establishment of plans for large scale mangrove
conservation in East Africa and Brazil, and global
outreach through the Alliance’s dedicated website.

Mangroves naturally
regenerating in an
abandoned fish pond in
Tacloban Philippines

16

BREAKTHROUGH		

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Degraded coastlines and heavily modified
environments, including urban areas
Incentives for community action in Demak, Indonesia
10 communities in Demak, Indonesia signed “biorights
contracts” with Wetlands international and the
local government to restore at least 50 hectares ofmangroves that will, along with recently constructed
permeable sediment trapping structures, provide
coastal protection. In return, the communities receiveloans from Wetlands International to revitalise 300
hectares of aquaculture ponds. If the conservation
measures are successful, communities don’t needto repay their loans. This model offers a basis forgovernment agencies to upscale this work withgovernment budget as part of other large scale coastalzone planning initiatives.

Integrated management of deltas
Water allocation plan for the Hirakud reservoir, India,
adoptedThe Odisha wetland development authority, India,
endorsed a management plan for the Hirakud Resevoirthat will ensure the improved water allocations forfarmers, fishermen and others and enhance theecological health of the Chilika lagoon, a highly

biodiverse coastal wetland that provides more than
500,000 people with important natural resources. Our
research has shown that the past water allocation
regimes from the reservoir caused the changes river
flow regime downstream that have far reachingecological impacts on the Chilika lagoon. Further, it
was found that changes in land use upstream affectwater provision to the reservoir itself. We worked
with the State government and others to develop the
management plan.
Management plan for the Ashtamudi Estuary, India
The wetland authority of Kerala, India, adopted an
integrated management plan of the Ashtamudi estuary,providing a basis for protecting valuable wetland
habitats, managing natural resources, while informing
sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practice. The
plan, co-developed by Wetlands International and theCentre for Water Resource Development, was basedon an extensive assessment of ecological status andtrends of this important site. The largest estuary on
the west coast of India, Asthamudi has suffered from
uncoordinated sectoral developments, leading to rapid
degradation of the estuary basin and the wider coastal
zone. This new plan provides the basis for sustainable
development, respecting and supporting the wetland
values.

Fishermen at Chilika lagoon in India

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17

Rice farmers in the Inner Niger Delta

Blue lifelines for a resilient Sahel
BREAKTHROUGH		
Wetlands as peace-keepers on theinternational agenda
Through our landmark report “Water Shocks:
Wetlands and Human Migration in the Sahel”,
we presented evidence on how the shrinkage
of wetlands in the Sahel is contributing toundermine human security, fuelling societal
tensions and compelling people to migrate,
including to Europe. This has provided new links
with the development and humanitarian sectors
and opened up dialogues and opportunities
to influence investments in development andclimate action across the Sahel.

Farmers, fishermen and pastoralists in Mali’s Inner

Niger Delta collaborate instead of compete for land andwater resources

In 2017, through the support of Wetlands International,
hundreds of associations and cooperatives of farmers,
fishermen, pastoralists and women in three districts(cercles) in Mali’s Inner Niger Delta, organised
themselves for the first time into one coalition per
district to foster sound management of the risks they
face from the collective use of increasingly scarce land
and water resources. It is the first time that farmers,
fishermen and pastoralists, including women havecome together to address these issues and foundcomplementarities. The coalitions address conflicts
emerging from the use of land and water, promote

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Annual Review and Accounts 2017

good practices such as respect of the fishing season,wood cutting limits, cattle passes etc. Their members
are informed on drought or floods predictions andprovided with advice. The coalitions engage withauthorities and politicians as one voice to demand forpolicy changes and their policy enforcement to secureaccess to land and water.
Together with our Partners for Resilience Red Cross,Care and Climate Centre, we identified interested
community-based groups, organised and facilitatedworkshops and training, including on lobby andadvocacy skills. We provided guidance on the key stepsof bottom-up coalition forming.
Food and energy security investments in the Upper

Niger basin shown to be very risky for the Inner Niger
Delta

Studies completed in 2017 have shown that the planned
expansion of industrial scale irrigated agriculture in
Mali and the linked development of a multi-functionalhydropower facility in upstream Guinea pose serious
risks to the massive Inner Niger Delta and its 2 million
inhabitants. Production of rice, fish and livestock could
all be reduced by 30% and drought risk would rise to
one year in four. Wetlands International lead a Malianand international team to model the consequences ofplanned investments in the Office du Niger irrigatedarea, the proposed Fomi dam in Guinea and theconsequences of climate change. This knowledge is
now being used to support dialogues with Malian
government stakeholders to try to influence the future
development trajectory in the region.

Lake Junin, Perú

Replenished water
stores from mountains
to the sea
High Altitude Wetlands

Wetland authority established in Himalayan Indian

Saving High Andean Wetlands for people and nature

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has agreed to

A new, long-term programme, was initiated in 2017 tosafeguard the high-altitude wetlands of the Andes.
Working in the Pozuelos Lagoon in Argentina and Lake
Junin in Peru, we will pilot technical innovations anddialogues with economic and agricultural actors tosafeguard and restore these high-altitude wetland
systems. Building on this we will develop a major
regional programme to replicate and scale up this work
across the region. We developed and initiated thisproject in consultation with local government and civil

state

constitute a wetland authority and base its wetland
management on integrated approaches to tackle
rising water risks. The degradation of wetlands inhigh altitude areas of the State has added to disaster
vulnerability in the Himachal Pradesh landscape.
By creating this committee, the opportunities tosystematically prioritise and conserve wetlands throughintegrated risk management are stronger. Wetlands
International presented the case for integrated
management for wetlands to the Chief Secretary level

society organisations.

meeting held at Shimla in July 2017. Subsequently,

Local communities and government in Guanacachecommittee.

we were nominated as a member of the technicallagoon, Argentina, adapt to climate change throughnatural infrastructure

The marginalised Huarpe community living aroundthe Guanacache lagoon, a Ramsar site in Mendoza
province, Argentina, is gradually taking responsibility

Water and Food Secure Communities
More water for rural communities in the North-east

for maintaining 400 ha of restored wetlands. They

catchment of the Ewasu Ng’iro river, Kenya.

re-built gullies where necessary, undertook ecological

In February 2017, the Kenya Water Resources Authority

monitoring of water quantity, water quality, flora(WRA) declared that water rationing measures would

and fauna and engaged with the authorities whenincrease from 2 to 4 days during February and May,

conservation of the lagoon was in danger. The

prohibiting upstream water abstraction. River discharge

accumulated rainwater is a key resource for local

experienced a 36% increase since, reducing water use

livelihoods. In addition, the Ministry of Environment

conflicts which had become rampant in the catchmentof Mendoza province asked Wetlands International

area. Wetlands International strengthened the capacity

to develop an institutional restoration plan forof Water Resources User Associations in September

Guanacache lagoons and ensured funding for its

2016 in their roles and responsibilities, which included

implementation.

building the capacity of the WRA in the enforcement ofwater conservation and management rules.
Wetlands International

19

New programme in the South and East Mediterranean

LAPPSET major economic corridor construction inWith growing pressure on water resources from climate

Kenya put on holdchange and food production, freshwater wetlands inConstruction of Isiolo Resort City - a key component

the Mediterranean are under ever-increasing threat.

of the East Africa infrastructure project ‘Lamu Port,A new programme has been secured by Wetlands

South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPPSET)’International, together with the Global Water- has been halted to consider community concerns

Partnership Mediterranean, IUCN Mediterranean andover downstream water stress and impacts on vital

ROWA, MedWet, Tour du Valat and WWF North Africa. It

ecosystems. Development of the Crocodile Jaw Dam

will support civil society in the Southern and Eastern

for water supply to the development and other land

Mediterranean to bring wetland issues into mainstream

use changes threaten wetlands and wildlife corridors

water planning and management dialogue. The

downstream and this has now been recognized by the

programme will initially focus on supporting existing

Kenya government. Wetlands International together

partnerships and in the medium term expand this intowith other international civil society organisationsa regional initiative supporting civil society capacity

engaged with the Kenyan government to raise concerns

development for sustainable catchment management.

about the construction plans. We conducted impact
screening of the hydropower dam and prepared a

Dutch development cooperation committed to bring

together Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) with

database that informed the review of the Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA). Together with local

integrated water resource management (IWRM)

CSOs, Wetlands International facilitated the process

The Dutch government has agreed to develop a policy

of formulating community concerns through a legal

framework to ensure that WASH and IWRM investments

opinion delivered to the National Environmentare better integrated, in line with international

Management Authority.

commitments to deliver the Sustainable Development
Goals. This will not only help to ensure sustainability of
WASH services but will also help to safeguard wetlands

Floodplains for safety and security

which play an important role in supporting water supply
in water insecure parts of the world and protect themfrom poor water allocation. Wetlands International
worked with IRC, our partner in the Watershed Alliance,
to achieve this, undertaking analyses and carrying out
lobby activities to promote the alignment of IWRM and
Dutch WASH policies and practices.

BREAKTHROUGH		
Corredor Azul: Connecting people, natureand economies along the Paraná-Paraguay
river system
We initiated a major long-term programme,“Corredor Azul”, to help safeguard the Paraná –Paraguay river corridor in South America, one of
the worlds’ last remaining free-flowing major river
system. The programme focuses on three hugely
diverse wetlands: the Pantanal wetland, the Ibera
marshes and the Paraná Delta. The river andwetland system is threatened by growing pressure
on land and water for industrial scale agriculture,hydro-electric developments and navigation.

Collecting water fromthe Tana River, Kenya
20

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Wetlands of the Parana River

Wetlands International21

Peatland treasures
are safeguarded andrestoredProtect and conserve the remaining intact
peatlands(RAPP) which is holding over 265,000 ha of drained

The proposed adverse law on palm oil in Indonesia

of operation on peatlands in the second week of

The draft law on Oil Palm (RUU Perkelapasawitan) thatcritically engage with APRIL and Asia Pulp and Paper

delayedallows for deforestation and new peatland drainage
and that was expected to be endorsed in March 2017,
was delayed and not endorsed during the year. Instead,
there are indications that the President of Indonesia
is preparing the strengthening of the moratorium on
new palm oil plantations. Wetlands International has
strategized with other civil society actors to influence
this process to prevent the law from being passed inplantations on peatlands and only regained theirlicense to operate after amendment of their workplan
January 2018. The emphasis of our work has been to(APP) as they by far have the largest negative impact on
peatlands in the sector.
RPSO working group advocates for no new oil palm
developments on peat

The second Peatland Working Group of the Roundtablefor Sustainable Palm Oil changed its definition ofpeatlands from >65% to >35% organic matter in at

Parliament.

least 50 cm in the top 100 cm soil, except for Malaysia.

Indonesia government enforces decrees to protect

oil palm developments on peat’ to ‘no new oil palm

The Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry

revised principle are likely to be adopted in the newpeatlands(MoEF) has been strictly implementing the ministerial
decrees on peatlands. The endorsement of longterm workplans of the pulp wood plantation sector
on peatlands by MoEF was a crucial moment for thegovernment to show that they are serious about
enforcing the new regulations. Notably, this led to thesuspension of the operations of Asia Pacific Recourses
Limited (APRIL)-owned PT Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper

Also, it proposed to revise the principle of ‘limited
developments on peat’. The new definition and thePrinciples & Criteria. As a consequence, more organicsoils worldwide will be defined as ‘peat’ by RSPO andit will lead to a considerable decrease in peatland
development for oil palm, not only in South East Asia,
but also in new target areas such as Congo Basin andBrazil. Wetlands International, as member of PLWG
2 contributed significantly to realise this importantchange.

Large-scale ecological peatland restoration in the Tver region in Russia

22

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

The European Parliament approved report on palm oil

Western banks and investors largely pulled out of

The report recognises the adverse effects of palm oil

Dutch ABN AMRO decided to not renew their loan

development on peatlands including GHG emissions

to Royal Golden Eagle Group for activities of APRIL,

and fires. It is an important recognition of the EUa major pulp and paper company active in Southon the environmental issues related to palm oil

East Asia. This decision was made after the sharing

and adds to the debate about curbing the issues.

of concerns by Indonesian civil society and theWetlands International engaged with the Parliament

Environmental Paper Network, of which Wetlands

and submitted amendments based on our technicalInternational is a member. We held a workshop in

knowledge and expertise.

Singapore hosted by ABN AMRO and attended byand deforestation of rainforests.

Rehabilitate and restore degradedpeatlands
BREAKTHROUGH		
Peatlands gain recognition as climatechange regulators

funding pulp & paper companies in Indonesia

11 Asian and international banks, where we shared
information sustainability issues related to drainagebased peatland use of the pulp wood and palm oil
sector.
Successful model developed for peatland restoration
action plans

The Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) in Indonesia
welcomed the Annual Action Plan on Peat Restoration

With German and Russian partners, we werein South Sumatra (jointly implemented by Wetlands

proud to receive the prestigious UN Momentum

International with WRI and ICRAF) as a blue print forfor Change Award for our work on peatlands atfuture country-wide peatland restoration plans. The

the UNFCCC COP 23. Through our PeatRus projectplan uses an inclusive, multi-stakeholder and science-– the largest peatland restoration initiative in thebased approach. BRG requested Wetlands International

world. we guided the rewetting of 35,000 hectares

to extend the development of Action Plans into otherof degraded peatlands in Russia, leading topeatland areas. This will contribute to the government’s

emission reductions of over 175,000 tons of CO2

ambition to restore 2.4 million hectares of peatlands

equivalent a year.

by 2020 to stop peatland fires and GHG emissions frompeatlands.

Receiving the Momentum for Change Award with partners

Accounting for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions will
become mandatory in the EU

The European Parliament decision on Land Use
Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) states that
accounting GHG emissions and removals from managed
wetlands will become mandatory from 2026. Wetlands
International lobbied EU Institutions to address theland sector and CO2 emissions from agriculture in
the EU 2030 climate and energy framework througha separate land use pillar. This was carried out incooperation with NGO coalition in Brussels advocating
for a mandatory accounting for managed wetlands.

Wetlands International

23

3.

Corporate
communications
On digital channels

i n 2017
We posted 52 times on our website. The

website received 96,517 page views. We

gained 1,584 new likes on our Facebook

We organised the ASiS International Essay
Writing Competition in collaboration with SM
Sains Alam Shah (ASiS) School and the Ministryof Education in Malaysia. The theme was“Conserving our natural heritage – wetlands:
a global perspective”. A total of 76 students,
between 12-18 years, from 17 countries in Asia
and Africa submitted entries.

page and 924 followers on Twitter. We

We launched a new report: ‘Water Shocks:

also started to invest more in our LinkedIn page,

Wetlands and Human Migration in the Sahel’

which had 2,513 followers at the end of 2017.

relationship between the health of wetland

which aims at highlighting to policymakers theecosystems and involuntary human migration in

We launched new websites for the following

the Sahel region of Africa.

offices: Latin America and the Caribbean, Russia,

Our publication examines how poor waterand South Asia.

management leads to degradation of
ecosystems, and is an overlooked cause ofhuman migration, including to Europe.
We represented our report’s messages andcases to relevant international fora such as
the European Development Days in Brussels,
Stockholm Water Week, the Environment andEmergencies Forum in Nairobi, the UNFCCC COP
in Bonn, the Planetary Security Conference in
The Hague, and Amsterdam International Water
Week.
In these events, we initiated a dialogue withgovernments, humanitarian organisations (IOM,UNHCR etc), policy and finance institutions (e.g.
EU, World Bank) and other non-governmentalorganisations, to highlight the linkages between
human displacement, social conflict and thedestruction of ecosystems.

24

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

CEO Jane Madgwick addresses the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

Key moments• The theme of World Wetlands Day was “Wetlands• During the Global Platform for Disaster Risk

for Disaster Risk Reduction”. Our CEO Jane

Reduction in Cancun, Mexico, we initiated the

Madgwick attended a High-Level Roundtabledialogue among governments, private institutions

Discussion on “Healthy Wetlands, Resilientand other non-governmental organisations on

Communities” in Geneva. Our offices around thethe feasibility of ecosystem-based solutions toworld also marked the day through a variety of

reduce humanitarian and environmental disasterevents highlighting the importance of wetlands

risks and the alternatives to bring these solutions

for disaster risk reduction and climate change

from small pilots to bigger initiatives. We called

adaptation, including a panel discussion in Kenya,for moving towards intersectoral collaborationa seminar in Indonesia, presentations in Brussels,with regards to the ecosystems, water and land

mangrove tours in Panama, and a symposium

management to positively impact communities andin Tokyo. We were also active on social media,

achieve a real long-term sustainable development.

increasing our reach significantly. For example, on
Facebook, our posts reached 26,539 people during
the week of World Wetlands Day.

• We advocated in the UNFCCC Climate summit- COP23 for the need to protect, restore andsustainably use wetlands for adapting to climate• We launched a new report “Water Shocks: Wetlands

change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

and Human Migration in the Sahel”. The report was

During COP23 we received a Momentum for Change

launched during a press conference in Brussels,award by the UFCCCC for our peatland restoration

where the Red Cross and Wetlands International

in Russia as one of nineteen diverse ‘Lighthousepresented a powerful message: Humanitarian

Activities’ for tackling climate change.

organisations need to connect their work withthe environment and development actors to findlasting solutions to social conflict linked natural
resource scarcity. Driving forward inclusive andsustainable development in the Sahel is an urgent,global priority. But this will only be achievedby shifting from the traditional development
paradigms and hard infrastructure schemes
which play havoc with the natural hydrology of
the region. Maintaining and restoring the natural
resource base is essential to increase water andfood production and provide livelihood strategies
to enable people to cope with an increasingly
uncertain climate.

Wetlands International

25

The launch of Water Shocks: Wetlands and Human Migration in the Sahel with the support of Red Cross Societies,
European Commission and International Organisation on Migration.

Key online content

Key contributions• In the framework of the World Water Day’s theme• We supported the launch of the Global Land

“Why waste water?” we shared a blog highlighting

Outlook by the United Nations Convention to

the importance of healthy wetlands for clean

Combat Desertification, to which we contributed

water, food and livelihoods, and their role in

input on the importance of land-water

achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,

interactions. The publication reports on land

especially Goal 6.

resources and the impacts of changing land use,with a significant focus on water and wetlands.

• We contributed an article for Impakter magazineon the vital importance of making progress• On World Mangrove Day (26 July) we supported

towards the Sustainable Development Goals forthe launch of the Global Mangrove Alliance thatwetlands and communities in the Sahel.

brings together Conservation International, IUCN,The Nature Conservancy, WWF and Wetlands• In the framework of the World Migratory Bird Day’s
theme “Their Future Is Our Future”, we highlighted

International. The alliance aims to expand theglobal extent of mangroves 20% by 2030.

the importance of wetlands not only for migratorywaterbirds but also for millions of people in the
Sahel region who migrate involuntarily.

• We released six case studies from different
countries that showcase how to addresshumanitarian disasters by understanding• On International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction,

the interactions among water infrastructure,

we highlighted the link between wetlands, conflictvegetation, land use and climate variability. The

and out-migration, through a blog post writtencases point out the need to work with all water

jointly with the Ramsar Convention.

users and other social actors to achieve results.
See our Publications section for these and otherpublications during the year.

26

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Salt production and coastal fisheries in China’s Yangpu Economic Development Area.

Wetlands International

27

4.

Functioning of
the organisation

Our set-up
Wetlands International is an independent global

The Management Team, consisting of the CEO1, COO1,

network organisation of 20 offices, which share

Head of Programmes and Head of Advocacy andthe name and brand “Wetlands International”,

Communications, is responsible to implement what

safeguard one reputation, implement a joint

is set out by the Global Board and entrusted with

Strategic Intent and adhere to a common set ofthe day-to-day management of the organisation. The

organisational policies. Several offices, including

team guides, supports and connects the network

the Head Office based in Ede-Wageningen, thefrom the head office in the Netherlands, with 34 staff

Netherlands (registered as Foundation Wetlands

and 6 volunteers in 2017. The head office has its own

International), have an independent legal status interms and conditions of employment and salary scale.

their country of operation. Other offices operate

Salaries are benchmarked every 4 years, to compare

under hosting agreements and/or are in thesalaries with similar not for profit organisations. CEOprocess of becoming independent legal entities.

and COO salaries are part of that system. In 2017, aconfidential advisor was appointed for the head office

The independently functioning offices are boundin the Netherlands.

to the global network organisation by an internal
agreement that stipulates the requirements an

Our external auditors assess annually theentity needs to comply with in order to be part

organisational set up and processes. Identified risksof the Wetlands International network. The head

and advice on how to address them are sent to theof each office is hired by its local board, existing

Supervisory Council (SC) and the Management Teamof members with complementary skill sets,(MT). The MT reports annually to the SC how the risks

experience and networks, well-placed to represent

are mitigated.

the countries’ and regions interests and advise
and support the office management team on

The Heads of Office, Management Team and theopportunities and threats in the country or region.

technical lead persons of each of the five streams
meet annually to discuss strategic and institutional

A Global Board, consisting of the CEO, COO andpriorities including annual planning, resource

the Heads of Offices, is responsible for strategic

development and the priorities for joint work

priority setting and decision-making on thematic,

between offices. On that same occasion the Global

programmatic and institutional issues. This

Board had its annual face-to-face session.

includes a common set of policies, tools andguidelines. It ensures that the annual planningand implementation are in line with the Strategic
Intent throughout the network
Profiles of the CEO and COO are determined by theSupervisory Council whereas their tasks are defined in
the Articles of Association of the Foundation Wetlands
International, with further elaboration in the Rules andRegulations
1

28

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Field trip during the Annual Meeting of the global leadership team 2017

GovernanceWetlands International has 35-member organisations,• discuss and, following additional action andgovernmental as well as non-governmental (see p. 74

clarification of findings by the external auditor,

for an overview of members), united in the Association

approve important decisions of the Management

Wetlands International and with the main objective

Team as specified in the Articles of Association,

to adopt the Strategic Intent; our global strategy withsuch as the Annual Review and Plan, the Budget

a ten-year outlook that is, together with members

and Strategic Partnerships. Supervise risk

and other stakeholders, reviewed and redeveloped

management.

every five years in response to a changing context.
The Association membership fees contribute to• monitor progress and developments during

implementation of the strategy and especially tobi-annual full Council meetings and specificstrategic investments by the organisation.

reports by the Management Team.

Wetlands International is governed by a non-paid• annually assess the performance of the CEO

constitute the Board of the Association. In addition,• support/advise the organisation with regards

the independent network offices are each governedto strategic and institutional direction andby a local board. To ensure integrity and alignment

development.

Supervisory Council2 of nine members, who alsowith the strategy and organisational interests, theCEO (or its representative), is a qualitate qua member
on the local boards. The members of the Supervisory• The Supervisory Council also assesses anddiscusses its own performance.

Council come from diverse backgrounds in order toprovide the range of expertise, experience, network and• None of the individual Council members holds

diversity necessary to fulfil their duties. The members

primary or additional occupations that can give

are appointed in their capacity as individuals, not as

rise to conflicts of interest with their supervisory

representatives of other entities. For the Council’s/role with regards to Wetlands International.

Board’s composition and scheme of resignation as of 31
December 2017 please refer to the overview on page 71.
Their main tasks are to

2

The tasks the Supervisory Council are defined in the Articles of Association of the Foundation Wetlands International

Wetlands International

29

Achieving our
objectives

Communication withstakeholders

The Strategic Intent is the main guiding document for

Network organisations are becoming more effective

the organisation’s action. For monitoring purposes,

than traditional, centralised, hierarchical ones. Our

targets have been defined for all sub-strategies. All

network organisation is more than a list of offices andoffices are accountable for performance against thesepartners. It consists of diverse entities which sharetargets. Lead persons are appointed for each of theknowledge and values and with whom we communicate.

5 streams of work. After 5 years the Strategic Intent
is updated, following an extensive review process

Wetlands International does the utmost to ensure

involving all main stakeholders.

that the information it provides is true and reliable.
Wetlands International’s external communications

Regional and national five-year strategies, managed

are guided by its communications policy. The Global

by national Wetlands International offices, set out the

Brand strategy is a reference for all actions of all staff.

regional and national contributions to the Strategic

Essential information regarding its functioning, such as

Intent. The ambitions of the Strategic Intent have been

the Strategic Intent, annual plans and annual reviews

translated into an Annual Plan that specifies the results

are available on the website. Members are specificallyto be achieved that year, funding to be attained andinformed through the annual members meeting andexpenditure for different cost categories. After approval

are regularly provided with progress updates andof the Annual Plan and Budget, the Management Teampublications. Donors, partners and project beneficiaries

is responsible for the implementation.

are mainly informed as specified and needed withinprojects. The partnership policy stipulates clear

The Strategic Intent is largely implemented throughprinciples about why and how relationships should

projects that vary in length from less than 1 year to up

be developed and managed. Wetlands International

to 5 years. Each project contributes to one or several

considers as partnerships relationships where it works

strategies of the Strategic Intent, as such ensuring anwith the partner organisation(s) on the basis of equity

integrated approach to the wise use and restoration of

to achieve jointly formulated objectives, with distinct

wetlands. Annex 1 provides an overview of all projects

contributions from each partner. Partnerships with thethat were implemented during 2017.

corporate sector are guided by a Steering Committee inwhich senior management of both entities participate.

Project proposal development is an on-going activity of
the Wetlands International staff. Proposals are accepted

In general, publications are made available

on the basis of content, viability and efficiency byelectronically for free on the website. The

the Management Team before funding is sought from

communications department ensures the relevance,

donors.

accessibility and readability of information throughthe website. The organisation has established an

Implementation of projects is often carried out throughofficial complaints procedure, which is available on

joint efforts of several Wetlands International offices

the website. There is also a general email address

and other partner organisations on the basis of

post@wetlands.org, handled by the support team, who

agreements and contracts. Field visits and technicaldistribute incoming messages, for handling by relevant

advice on the implementation are key monitoring

staff.

activities of the Foundation. Frequency of project
reporting varies from quarterly to annually according
to size, complexity and donor requirements. Annual
audited accounts as well as external project evaluations
are considered good practice to be followed as much as
possible, ensuring a significant coverage of total funds
by evaluation. External evaluations are discussed by theManagement Team to determine the follow-up actions
to be taken. Evaluations can be outcome oriented orprocess oriented.

30

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Management TeamCounsellorsof Honour

Supervisory
CouncilMembers

Partnerships

9

35

5

27

4

20

177

11

Supervisory Council Members

Associate Experts

Counsellors of Honour
DonorsWetlands
International

Management Team members

Members

Specialist Groups

Partnerships

Members

Our offices

Specialist Groups53
Our offices

Associate Experts

DonorsLearning from ourpractice
Wetlands International got better at negotiating lasta participatory self-evaluation. Results were overall

year as 18 colleagues from our offices and local partner

positive with enhanced governance and community

organisations took part in the training ‘Negotiation

ownership over restoration activities and disaster risk

Skills for Achieving Sustainable Use & Conservation

reduction measures. As the project ended, learningsof Wetlands’ in the Philippines. Reconciling various,from that evaluation were taken up by the Partners

sometimes competing interests in a landscape andfor Resilience programme that continues in the samenegotiating about that is not easy and self-evident.

area. The evaluation of the Shell partnership, done in

We therefore organized a training in the ‘Mutual Gains

2016, was used in 2017 to inform the decision to not

Approach’ to achieving a constructive dialogue that

renew the partnership whilst continuing to cooperate

results in an agreement that is better than existingin ongoing projects and remaining open to collaborate

alternatives and meeting the priority needs of all

further in the future.

stakeholders involved in a process or problem.

In Kenya and Uganda, we introduced outcome

Two project evaluations were undertaken during theharvesting, a qualitative approach to monitoring,year. The external evaluation of the project ‘Protracted

evaluation and learning through a 2-day training with

Crisis Horn of Africa’ concluded that water and food

follow-up coaching for staff of all Watershed partners.

security in these fragile regions has been improved

This was a pilot of the Watershed strategic partnershipbut need further consolidation. This will be taken carewith the aim to implement it in all 6 countries. Elementsof through follow up programmes in both regions;of the methodology were also taken up by the Partners‘upscaling Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction’ in Somali region

for Resilience programme and other staff showed

and the Partners for Resilience programme in South

interest to use it for their own learning and adaptive

Sudan. The ‘Proud of my Purok’ project in the Agusan

management.

river on the Philippine island of Mindanao undertook

Wetlands International31

33
Wetlands International

Our offices
Senegal / Africa
Mali / Sahel
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya / East Africa
Ethiopia
Nigeria

RussiaUgandaNetherlands
EuropeArgentina/ LAC
Panama/ LAC

China

Guatemala

Japan

China

South Asia

Japan
Indonesia
Malaysia
Brunei

GuatemalaPanamaSenegalGuinea Bissau

Philippines
BruneiMalaysia

Ethiopia
Kenya
Indonesia

India / South Asia
Belgium / European Association
RussiaNetherlands / Head office

Argentina

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Nigeria
UgandaPhilippines

32

Mali

5.

Resourcing
the globalorganisation

Sources ofincome forthe globalorganisation

Our main source of income came from projectfunding. The total project income of the Wetlands
International global network in 2017 amounted
to 13,2 M EUR. In addition, member countries andNGOs as well as one-off supporters contributed 0,5Dutch government

M EUR of flexible funding.

German government

The list of projects 2017 in annex 1 gives an

Other governments

overview of all projects implemented throughout
the year, with details on the amounts funded, theproject period, the name and types of donors,

Association Wetlands International

which of the five streams of our Strategic Intent
the project contributes to, as well as the Wetlands
International offices that participated in project
implementation.

Trusts, Foundations and NGOs
Companies

Our sources of income andexpenditures across the five streams
Governments are our major source of funding(70%), with the Dutch and German governments
responsible for 43% and 18% of our project income
respectively. Trusts, foundations and NGOs accountfor 20 % of our donors whereas we received 7%of our income from companies. We aim to focus

Network
expenditures
across five streams
of work

our work on the issues where wetlands matterthe most to people and nature. We develop andimplement programmes and initiatives organised
according to five streams of work.
Healthy Wetland NatureBlue Lifelines
Water Stores
Coasts & Deltas
Peatland Treasures
34

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Increased resource developmentby network offices

Our funding model to leverage investment

long-term, involving several of our offices. Headin turn leverage larger programmes supported byUsing very little flexible funds, we are able to bring

actors together and develop small pilot projects, which

Increasingly, our programmes are large scale andoffice and network offices combine efforts in resource
development and increasingly network offices are
directly financed by donors. Until 2016, network offices

finances of partners and additional donors. With ourprogramme results we leverage larger scale public andprivate sector investment in wetlands.

raised 25% or less of our project income. In 2017
however, this increased to 42% of total project income,as shown in the graph below. For 2018 and beyond,we expect this trend to continue. This way, we bring
management and donor coordination close to where
the action is and impact takes place, while the head
office provides a support role as required. Projects
that are managed through the head office, are mostly
implemented by our network offices as well others

Further
investments

such as scientific institutions and experts. A significant
amount is subcontracted to these offices and others.
Our
programmes
Flexible
funds

100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Project income raised by network offices
Project income raised by head office

Wetlands International

35

Foundation Wetlands International

Annual Accounts 2017

Introduction
Since the Foundation Wetlands International

Based on RJ 650-2016 the accounts show the total

obtained the CBF3 quality seal in 2011, it is obliged

expenses allocated to each of the five organisation’s

to apply the guideline of VFI and report under

objectives (‘streams’). In total 82.3 % of the total‘Richtlijn 650 voor Kosten Beheer en Administratie’.

expenses was spent on these objectives (2016 78.3 %).

4This means that expenses are based oncommitments made (contracts signed) during the

The 2017 result of Wetlands International isreported year.

traditionally influenced by incidental effects of not

Although the turnover at 8.4M was 1.3 M higher

always predictably claimable or non-claimable project

than in 2016, it was significantly below budget

costs during the start-up of projects and in the end(9.8M) and the most recent forecast. Based on aphase. However, in 2017 the significantly lower result

research into the reasons behind the gap several

compared to budget and forecast was mainly due tofactors (a.o. significant underspending andunderspending on projects which implied a lower

inaccurate forecasting) were identified. An action

cost recovery rate (hours coverage and overheadplan aimed at improvement is currently being

coverage). Currently action plans are developed thatdeveloped.

will enhance de quality of project implementing and

The total revenue only partly reflects thesubcontracting process.

actual level of activities and outcomes for theorganisation. The project activities in 2017 – asAs a part to the risk management policy at Wetlands

measured by expenses during the year (see table

International a risk register is updated at every

Realised total expenditure on project activities

reporting cycle including mitigating measures. The top

on page 68) differ only 0,1M from 2016. The

3 risks are specified in the table below.

realised total expenses on project activities since2013 indicate a stabilising level of activity andinvestment over the years. Due to difficult fillingof some specialist vacancies, the number of FTE’s
were in 2017 less with 29,6 as compared to 32,9 in2016.

Central Bureau for Fundraising
Dutch Association of Fundraising Institutions(Vereniging Fondsenwervende Instellingen)
3

4

38

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

1

Risk
description

Impact on organisationin 2017

Potential
quantitative
impactMitigating measures

Insufficient

Although the development ofLower income

The MT, Heads of Offices andresource

opportunities has continued, theproportionallysenior staff are constantly

development for

expected enhanced quality of

impacts net result

identifying and following

implementing

especially implementing of theopportunities. Multi annual,

Strategic Intent

projects in our portfolio lagged

multi-million projects arebehind expectation. An action plantargeted successfully

to address this is currently being
designed and implemented.

2

Expenses

Organisational costs are well under Donor income

significantly

control. Project cost and income

exceeding expenses

exceed budget

have shown to be insufficiently

proportionallymonitored. The result over 2017

impact net result.

Implement the action plan

has indicated the set-up of a clear
action plan to more systematicallymonitor projects and take action
according to findings.

3

The expected enhanced

Subcontracts andAlthough rates and underlying

Depending on thereporting arecost + reporting requirements aredonor contract, lower quality of especially

not of sufficient

clear in contracts, the reporting isreported subcontract

implementing of thequality

at times too late. This needs to be

expenses may leadprojects in our portfolio

more systematically monitored and to lower overhead
addressed.

lagged behind on the

coverage (standard

expectation that we had

rate: 15%).

with installing the MT. An
action plan to address thisis currently designed andimplemented

Again, substantial investments in fundraising were

Income is specified in accordance with the RJ 650

made to acquire new projects throughout Wetlands– 2016 standard, per back donor. The income ofInternational. The costs of fundraising were slightly

Wetlands International consists for the largest parthigher (192K) compared to 184K in 2016.

of income from Government grants (77%). Income
from Companies, Other Non-profit organisations and

The ratio between Cost of Management andAffiliated non-profit organisations are (all three) around

Administration and total expenses realised was 15.5%

7% of the total income.

(19% 2016; 16% 2016 budgeted5.
During 2017 new contracts and extension of earlier
acquired contracts were signed. The list of projects 2017
in annex 1 includes all projects that started in 2017.

5

The generic CBF norm for management and administration costs is 10%

Wetlands International

39

Annual Account Foundation Wetlands International 2017
Balance sheet as per 31 December in Euros
2017

2016

ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets (1)Debtors and other receivables (2)Cash and Banks (3)80.3593.286.779
1.301.906

Total assets

4.588.685

86.3982.935.055
1.753.239

4.688.294

4.669.044

4.774.692

Continuity reserve (4)326.832600.117

Subsidies (5)27.73843.063

Other reserves

00Provisions (6)30.00030.000

Short-term debts (7)4.284.474

4.101.512

Total liabilities

4.669.044

4.774.692

LIABILITIESStatement of Income and Expenditure Foundation Wetlands International (in Euros)
Income- Income from private individuals- Income from companies- Income from Lottery organisations- Income from Government grants (8)- Income from affiliated non-profit organisations (9)- Income from other non profit organisations

2017
3.139
633.90742.3366.506.703
611.154648.002

Total of private and governmental income (10)- Other Income

259

500

7.164.064

7.074.837
09.759.169

1.956.078
1.637.682
1.969.716
1.181.682
1.205.013

7.950.171

7.074.837

1.363.306
1.077.098
1.303.587
879.002745.8135.368.805- Cost of fundraising- Management & administration
Cost of management & administration

192.157

241.341

184.460

1.352.097

1.554.657

1.304.723

Total Expenses

8.708.318

9.746.169

6.857.989

Earnings before financial income and costs-262.819

13.000216.848

Financial result-10.466

0-9.832

Net result-273.285

13.000207.016

Result appropiation

2017

Increase (+)/Decrease (-) continuity reserve

Percentages- Percentage costs of fundraising(costs of fundraising in percentage of income)- Percentage costs of Management & Administration(costs of management & administration in percentage of total expenses)
norm costs of management & administration: 10%- Percentage of revenue spent on objectives(expenses on objectives in percentage of total revenu)- Percentage of expenditure spent on objectives(expenses on objectives in percentage of total expenditure)40

505
872.833
200.948
4.637.391
709.944653.2159.758.669

8.445.498

1.762.663
1.475.749
1.774.952
1.064.838
1.085.862

2016

4.447
729.92845.6937.126.412
838.575
1.013.615
8.445.240

Total income
Expenses (11)- Expenses on objectives
1. Healthy Wetland Nature
2.Vibrant Coasts & Deltas
3. Blue lifelines in the Desert
4. Water Stores
5. Peatland Treasures

2017 Budget

Annual Review and Accounts 20172017 Budget

2016-273.285-273.285

13.00013.000207.016207.016

2,3%

2,5%

2,6%

15,5%

16,0%

19,0%

84,8%

82,0%

76,0%

82,3%

81,6%

78,3%

Cashflow Statement (in Euros)
2017

2016

Cash flow from operating activities
Result-273.285

207.016

Depreciation

44.27844.066

Cash flow-229.007

251.082

Changes in work capital- Change in receivables- Change in short-term debts-351.724
182.962- Change in continuity reserve- Change in subsidy fixed assets- Change in other reserves- Change in provisions-168.761
0-15.32500Cash flow from operating activities-413.094

758.420-966.909-208.4900-19.0690023.524

Cash flow from investing activities
Investments in fixed assets-38.239-9.987

Cash flow from investing activities-38.239-9.987

Change in cash & banks-451.333

13.537

Cash & banks- as per 1 January- as per 31 December
Change in cash & banks

1.753.239
1.301.906-451.333

1.739.702
1.753.239

13.537

Explanatory Notes to the Balance sheet
As per 31 December (in Euros)(1) Tangible fixed assets
Balance 1 January 2017
Purchase value
Accumulated depreciation
Bookvalue 1-1-2017
Investments
Desinvestments purchase value
Desinvestments Acc. Depreciation
Depreciation 2017
Balance 31 December 2017
Purchase value
Accumulated depreciation
Bookvalue 31-12-2017

Furniture

Computers

Equipment

Total

532.564531.443
1.121

268.865
186.563
82.302

16.19013.2152.975

817.619731.22186.398000530

32.2450042.313

5.994
0
0
1.435

38.2390044.278532.564531.973591

301.111228.877
72.23422.18314.6507.533

855.858775.49980.359Fixed assets are used for office operations. The other assets are largely for direct use for the foundation’s goals
and to a small extent for office operations. The Foundation does not hold any shares,
bonds or other assets for reasons of financial investment.
The investment in computers relates to replacement of obsolete hardware (desktops & laptops) and extension of server capacity.
The tangible fixed assets are valuated on the basis of the historic costs price or acquisition value,decreased by linear depreciation on the expected term. For office equipment and investments on the building thedepreciation is 20 percent per period, while for hardware and software the depreciation is 33 or 20% percent per period depending on expected lifecycle.
Fixed assets financed by projects and in use by Wetlands International staff are activated starting financial year 2014
The counter value of these assets is accounted for under 'subsidized fixed assets' which are decreased in line with the depreciation of the assets.

Wetlands International41

(2) Debtors and other receivables
Debtors
Doubtful debtors
Total debtors
Project funds to be received
Current Account with Association Wetlands International
Subcontractor receivables
Short term loans (provided)
Taxation & Social security
Other receivables
Total

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

109.525-21.466
88.0582.791.553
0180.58130.00016.165180.4213.286.778,82

44.876-5.46839.4082.583.483
0
199.873
30.00014.98467.3072.935.055,22

A short term loan repayable before 1-7-2017 was granted to Wetlands International European Association in fiscal year 2015
(3) Cash & banks

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

4.530

4.760

Current accounts EUR
Current accounts GBP
Current accounts USD
Current account Argentina
Total Current accounts

894.0961.537
51.24553.7001.005.108

1.111.377
73.673123.4626.090
1.314.602

Deposit accounts
Deposit account for rent
Total Deposits

265.244
31.554296.798402.32331.553433.8761.301.906

1.753.239

Cash

Total

Foreign currency accounts are related to projects funded in foreign currency
The balance of the liquid assets in foreign currencies is valuated at the closing rate at the end of the financial year.
Any exchange rate differences are accounted for in the result.
Apart from the 'deposit for rent' all liquidities are immediately available(4) Continuity reserve
Balance 1 January
ResultBalance 31 December

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

600.117-273.285
326.832

393.101
207.016600.117

The result in the Foundation's annual account is added to the continuity reserve.
(5) Subsidies
Balance 1 January
Assets financed by projects
Depreciation subsidized assets
Balance 31 December

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

43.063
5.994-21.31927.73862.132
1.394-20.463
43.063

Subsidized tangible assets are amortized in line with other tangible assets(6) Provisions
Balance 1 January
Additions
Withdrawals
Balance 31 December

Projects

Network

Provisions 2017

Provisions 2016

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

30.0000030.00030.0000030.000During the financial year 2016 a provision was made for a short term loan granted to Wetlands International European Associationin accordance with the organisation's reserves policy as annexed.
(7) Short term debts
Projects to be executed
Subcontractors commitments > 1 year
Subcontractors commitments < 1 year
Current Account with Association Wetland International
Trade creditors
Argentina funds
Water Bird Fund
Holiday allowance
Unused annual leave
Donation reserved for next year
Other short term debts

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

819.1631.805.798
1.024.378,13
149.18193.69952.4955.000
86.59147.2880200.880
4.284.473,94

842.885
1.456.836
1.377.953
22.222106.2684.886
5.000
88.18547.4810149.795
4.101.512

Projects to be executed relates to funds received from donors fo projects still to be executed
Subcontractor commitments are contracted amounts due to subcontractors for the execution of projects
There is no interest on the current account, neither any securities of repayment obligations related
Holiday allowance: this represents the reservation of holiday allowance built up in 2017 and which is to be paid in May 2018
Unused annual leave: the outstanding liabiity regarding unused holidays of staff

42

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Explanatory Notes to the Statement of Income and Expenditure (in Euros)

Unused annual leave: the outstanding liabiity regarding unused holidays of staff

Explanatory Notes to the Statement of Income and Expenditure (in Euros)(8) Income from Governmental grants

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

Project income from governmental institutions

6.506.703

4.637.391

Total

6.506.703

4.637.391

The income from Governmental grants includes the Partners for Resilience project.
At year closure a discussion is taking place between the Dutch foreign ministry and the lead partner (Red Cross) on the organisational running cost calculation by Wetlands Interna
Since the calculation is based on cost recovery only, Wetlands International Is confident that the discussion will not lead to alterations of the project income.
The total organisational runningcost involved amount to € 88,000 (2016 an 2017).
(9) Income from affiliated non-profit organisations

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

Income from Wetlands International Association
Income from other affiliated non-profit organisations

586.04225.111

694.646
15.298

Total

611.154709.944

The income from affiliated non-profit organisations consists mainly of the contribution from the Association Wetlands International.
This contribution is specified in the table below.
Contribution from Association Wetlands International

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

469.042100.000
17.000586.042529.732105.568
19.822
694.646

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

200.000
8.245.240
8.445.240

200.000
6.874.837
7.074.837

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

29,6

32,9

2.284.137
210.1402.494.277

2.495.606
102.9442.598.550

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

1.748.691
263.994118.0762.130.761
135.908
227.280
2.493.949
210.1402.704.088

1.795.677
259.670
124.256
2.179.603
146.932
171.532
2.498.067
102.9442.601.012

Organisation subsidy
Subsidy biodiversity projects
Contribution to GMM meeting costs
Total received from Association(10) Total of private and governmental income
Annual cost contribution Wetlands International Association (structural)
Project and other income (incidental)
Total

Employment capacity & production
Total staff (FTE)
Staff rates claimed on external projects (production)
Own staff
Consultants

Staff costs
Wages & salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Other personnel costs
Interim staff & trainees
Total employee costs
External staff/consultants
Total staff costs

Remuneration board members
Name
Function

F.J. Madgwick
CEO

Contract- sort- hours/week- part-time percentage- period

indefinite
36100
1- Jan. / 31 Dec.

Remuneration- Yearly income
gross salaryholiday allowanceend of year allowance
variable income
Total income 2017108.919
8.714-

J.C.M. Reinartz
COO

117.633

1- Jan. / 31 Dec.

89.9107.193-

indefinite
36100

97.103

Staff members are rewarded in accordance with 'Terms & Conditions 2015'

Wetlands International

43

Budget 2018
Income- Income from private parties- Income from corporate organisations- Income from Loteries- Governmental grants- Income from related organisations- Income from Not for profit organisations
Total of private and governmental income- Other Income

Expenses
Expenses on objectives
1. Healthy Wetland Nature
2. Vibrant Coasts and Deltas
3. Blue lifelines in the Desert
4. Water stores
5. Peatland Treasures(11) Specification and allocation of costs by objective(in Euro's)

2018
3.714
750.11950.0977.699.565
723.195
766.79902.019.821
1.691.048
2.033.902
1.220.189
1.244.280

Costs of generating funds- costs of fundraising

9.993.490

9.993.490

8.209.240
220.191

Management & administration- costs of management & administration

1.549.356

Total expenses

9.978.788

ResultPercentages- Percentage costs of fundraising(costs of fundraising in percentage of income)- Percentage costs of Management & Administration(costs of management & administration in percentage of total expenses)
norm costs of management & administration: 10%- Percentage of revenue spent on objectives(expenses on objectives in percentage of total revenu)- Percentage of expenditure spent on objectives(expenses on objectives in percentage of total expenditure)

As at the balance sheet date there are three contracts known to the Board:
1a. Contract for office rent from 1-6-2015 until 31-5-2019
1b. Contract for office rent from 1-6-2015 until 31-5-2019
2. Contract for copying machine from 1-10-2015 until 30-9-2020
In relation to the office rent, a bank guarantee of € 35,000 is held.

44

Annual Review and Accounts 201714.702

2,2%
15,5%

82,1%
82,3%

PurposeExpenses
Purchase & acquisitions
Subcontractors
Publicity & communication
Personnel costs
Travelling & hotelexpenses
Housing Costs
Office & General expenses
Depreciation & interest
Total

S1

763
1.245.399
14.808353.238
80.11917.43244.5296.374
1.762.663

S2

639
1.042.682
12.398295.740
67.07814.59537.2815.336
1.475.749

Objective
S3
769
1.254.082
14.911355.700
80.67817.55444.8396.418
1.774.952

S4

461
752.355
8.946
213.39448.401
10.53126.9003.851
1.064.838

Generating Funds
total
470
0
767.210
0
9.122
2.541
217.607157.840
49.3566.857
10.7399.125
27.43112.8593.927
2.935
1.085.862
192.157
S5

Managmt& Adm.
0017.8781.110.570
48.24864.20490.54720.6511.352.097

Actual2017
3.103
5.061.729
80.6042.704.088
380.738
144.179
284.38549.4928.708.318

Budget2017
3.473
5.664.982
90.2103.026.360
426.114161.362318.278
55.3919.746.169

Actual201633.4903.328.284
74.0202.601.012
404.669
140.694
189.150
86.6706.857.989

Wetlands International works on 5 themes. As regards the accounting of non-direct support cost, including depreciation,
Wetlands International applies the guideline of VFI: 'Aanbeveling Toepassing van Richtlijn 650 voor Kosten Beheer en Administratie'.
Indirect costs are attributed to the 5 themes pro rata of the staff time spent.
Realised total expenditure on project activities
The Annual Accounts are presented according to the RJ 650 regulations (obliged under our CBF charity recognition) which are based oncommitments made (contracts with subcontractors signed) during the reported year while not looking at the work really implemented. As a result
the total turnover in the the years reported might differ substantially: 8.4M in 2017 compared to 7.1M in 2016 and 2015, 4.7M in 2014 and9.3M in 2013. When looking at project activities, see below, – as measured by expenses made during the year -, we see a different picture.
The realised total expenses on project activities in 2017 of EUR 7.2M (2016 7,3M, 2015 7.8M, 2014 7.6M and 2013 7.3M) show a more stable
activity over the years.
Costs staff
Costs externals
Total Staff costs in projects
Subcontractors actuals
Project travel costs
Other project costs

2.284.137
210.140

Totals31/12/2017
2.494.277
4.309.408
272.390127.8167.203.890

2.495.606
102.944

31/12/2016
2.598.550
4.254.852
307.423140.2977.301.123

2.483.468
318.781

31/12/2015
2.802.249
4.434.150
241.024320.084
7.797.507

2.393.860
202.853

31/12/2014
2.596.713
4.674.411
211.426
115.2997.597.849

2.511.315
185.748

31/12/2013
2.697.063
4.022.185
288.868
332.2627.340.378

Wetlands International

45

GeneralAccounting
Principles
The financial statements are prepared according to
the following principles:

GeneralThe annual accounts 2017 have been drawn up
according to generally accepted accounting
principles in the Netherlands and RJ 650-2016 forFundraising organisations. Assets and liabilities
in the balance sheet are valued at nominal value.
Cash and bank balances are freely disposable,
unless stated otherwise.
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded
using the rate at the time of the transaction.
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currency are converted at the exchange rate at the
year-end. Income and expenditure are accounted
for in the year the obligations are related to.
Costs are determined in accordance with theaccounting policies applied to the balance sheet.
The accounting of project commitments is in fullcompliance with RJ650 regulations since 2012.
Consequently, the total value of a contract witha subcontractor is charged as project cost in thereporting year the contract is entered into. Losson projects is taken upon recognition. At theend of the related project period all projects aresettled against actual costs in accordance with thecontract of the related donor.
Accounting principles for the different elementsof balance sheet and statement of income andexpenditure are explained in the notes.

46

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Provisions

Provisions are made for obligations existing atbalance sheet date for contingencies not related
to normal operational activities. Because of theuncertainties at balance sheet’s reporting date theprovision made in 2015 (30K) in relation to the shortterm loan granted to Wetlands International European
Association was maintained.

IncomeAlmost all income is related to projects which are
funded by external donors. The conditions for funding
are laid down in project specified donor agreements.
This income can therefore be characterized asincidental. The project income recognised for work
completed, (sub-)contracts engaged in and services
delivered during the fiscal year.
The annual contribution of Wetlands International
Association to the organisational cost are categorised
as structural income.

Project costs

These represent the direct project costs incurred in
respect of project income recognised.

Deferred project income

This relates to project advances received or to bereceived that are deferred from an income statement
perspective, taking into account any necessary
provision for losses on projects.

Joint operating agreements with local
Wetlands organisations

Pensions

projects financed by its donors, the Dutch based

accounts for the contribution payable to the pension

In relation to the execution of global/international
Foundation Wetlands International seeks cooperation
with local Wetlands organisations. In case Foundation
Wetlands International acts as the main contractor
of a donor, cash amounts are transferred (under theterms and conditions of the donor) by the Foundation
towards these local Wetlands organisations. This cash
flow and all related project income and expenses
are fully recorded in the annual accounts of the
Wetlands International Foundation, including theexpenses paid by the local Wetlands organisations.
The aforementioned local Wetlands organisations also
have their own locally obtained and financed activities,
without concern of the Dutch Foundation. Foundation
Wetlands International has no legal obligations
regarding these local projects obtained by the local
Wetlands organisations. From a practical point of view

Pension obligations are valued according to the“valuation to pension fund approach”. This approachprovider as an expense in the statement of revenue andexpenditure. Based on the administration agreement it
is assessed whether and, if so, which obligations exist
in addition to the payment of the annual contribution
due to the pension provider as at balance sheet date.
These additional obligations, including any obligations
from recovery plans of the pension provider, resultin expenses for the Foundation and are included in aprovision on the balance sheet. Since the Foundation
has committed itself and its employees to a ‘fixed
premium pension scheme’ and not to a ‘final or middle
salary pension scheme’ an obligation (provision) for(upcoming) past service is not applicable.

Results reported against 5 streams

It should be noted that the results of the organisation

the Dutch based Foundation Wetlands International canare reported against the objectives grouped under 5be qualified as the ‘franchisor’ of the local Wetlands

streams as indicated in the Strategic Intent 2015-2025.

organisations (the ‘franchisees’).

Use of estimations

During the process of compiling the annual accounts
the management of the organisation makes, inaccordance with general accepted accounting
policies, some estimations and assumptions which
are contributory to the included amounts. The actual
results can deviate from these estimations.

Wetlands International

47

48

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

independent auditors report 2017

Wetlands International

49

50

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Association Wetlands International

Annual Accounts 2017

Introduction
In this section, both the accounts for the
Vereniging Wetlands International (theAssociation) as well as the consolidated figuresof the group consisting of Vereniging Wetlands
International and Stichting Wetlands International(the Foundation) are presented. The consolidated
figures are a simple addition of both individual
accounts after removal of cross-posts. As all
implementation activities are executed in the
Stichting Wetlands International, most substantial
information on results and finances are presented
in the Annual Accounts of Stichting Wetlands
International’.
The Vereniging Wetlands Internationals finances
mainly consist of the income from membershipdues, the subsidy to the Stichting Wetlands
International, in line with the Vereniging Wetlands
International statutory objective, and theimplementation of the Financial Reserves Policy,
see below.
Total revenue reported represents the nett
income from members and a small amount ofother income. The organisation collected more
contributions but the General Members Meeting(GMM) decided on transferring some contributions
to other Wetlands International offices. The
2017 the Government contribution of China willbe transferred back for 50% to the Wetlands
International office in China (25K).

Financial Reserves Policy

Association and Foundation have adopted thefollowing Reserves Policy (Decisions GMM 16.6 and SC
53.05):
a. Association and Foundation aim for a combined
minimum continuity reserve of € 1.000.000 in
total.
b. In addition, we follow the VFI guidelines of nothaving a reserve that extends 1.5 times theannual fixed organisational cost;c. the Association will also reserve € 35,000
annually for the tri-annual General Members
Meetings as of 2011.
As Wetlands International is largely dependent on
project funding, it needs a capacity to deal with cash
flow distress. Therefore, Wetlands International,
Foundation and Association, hold a minimum positionof the continuity reserve. The continuity reserves aremeant to cover short term risks and to ensure that theorganisation has a buffer to respond to its obligationsin the long term. Furthermore, the reserves aresavings that are used to invest in strategic andinstitutional development.
For early 2018 the tri-annual face to face global
General Members Meeting was planned. In
consultation with the members the Board of
Association decided to postpone this global meetingand organise it regionally. In 2017 € 17.000 preparation
cost were covered by the GMM reserves that are kept
for that purpose.

52

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Consolidated Balance sheet Association and Foundation Wetlands International
Balance sheet as per 31 December in Euros
2017

2016

ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
Debtors and other receivables
Cash and Banks

80.3593.347.198
2.047.957

Total assets

5.395.154

86.3982.961.208
2.726.833

5.688.040

5.475.513

5.774.438

1.159.154

1.520.275

General Members Meeting Reserve
Other reserves (subsidies)

88.00027.73870.00043.063

Provisons30.00030.000

Short-term debts

4.170.621

4.111.100

Total liabilities

5.475.513

5.774.438

LIABILITIESContinuity reserve

Consolidated Statement of Income and Expenditure Association Wetlands International (in Euros)
2017
Income- Income from private individuals- Income from companies- Income from Lottery organisations- Income from Government grants- Income from affiliated non-profit organisations- Income from other non profit organisations
Total of private and governmental income- Other income

3.139
601.34642.3366.612.064
271.207854.371259

Total revenu

budget 20178.384.462

259

4.447
729.92845.693
7.143.412
629.075
1.013.615

1.500

8.384.721

Expenses- Expenses on objectives
1. Healthy Wetland Nature
2.Vibrant Coasts & Deltas
3. Blue lifelines in the Desert
4. Water Stores
5. Peatland Treasures

1.762.663
1.475.749
1.774.952
1.064.838
1.085.862- Costs of generating funds
Cost of fundraising

192.157

7.164.064

192.1572016

9.566.169

1.500

505
872.833
200.948
5.108.963
54.822671.14909.567.669

1.956.078
1.637.682
1.969.716
1.181.682
1.205.013

241.3417.950.171

241.3416.909.220

06.909.220

1.363.306
1.077.098
1.303.587
879.002745.813184.460

5.368.805

184.460- Management & administration
Cost of management & administration

1.360.859

1.580.657

1.309.730

Total Expenses

8.717.080

9.772.169

6.862.995

Earnings before financial income and costs-332.359-204.500

46.441

Financial result-10.7630-9.230

Net result-343.121-204.500

37.211

Wetlands International

53

Result appropiation

2017

Increase/Decrease continuity reserve
Incre ase /De cre ase Ge ne ral Me mbe rs Me e ting re se rve-361.12118.000-343.121budget 2017
-169.500
35.000-204.500

Consolidated Cashflow Statement Wetlands International (in Euros)
2017

2016

Cash flow from operating activities
Re sult-343.121

37.211De pre ciation

44.27844.066

Cash flow-298.843

81.278Changes in work capital- Change in receivables- Change in short-term debts-385.990
59.521-326.469

735.163-621.004

114.159- Change in continuity reserve- Change in other reserves- Change in provisions

0-15.32500-19.0690Cash flow from operating activities-640.638

176.368

Cash flow from investing activities
Investments in fixed assets
Cash flow from investing activities-38.239

Change in cash & banks
Cash & banks- as per 1 January- as per 31 December
Change in cash & banks

54

Annual Review and Accounts 2017-38.239-9.987-678.876

2.726.833
2.047.957-678.876-9.987166.3812.560.452
2.726.833

166.3812016
2.211
35.00037.211

Annual Accounts Association Wetlands International 2017
Balance sheet as per 31 December in Euros
2017

2016

ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets

0Debtors and other receivables (1)Cash and Banks (2)209.600
746.050

Total assets

955.651063.359973.594

1.036.952

955.651

1.036.952

Continuity reserve (3)832.322920.158

General Members Meeting Reserve (4)88.00070.000

Short-term debts (5)35.32946.794

Total liabilities

955.651

1.036.952

LIABILITIESStatement of Income and Expenditure Association Wetlands International (in Euros)
2017

2016

Income- Income from Governmental grants (6)- Income from other non profit organisations (6)Total of private and governmental income

507.371
17.894525.265471.57117.934489.505- Other income
Total revenu

525.265489.505

Expenses- Contribution to Foundation Wetlands Int.
- General Members Meeting 2017574.6760635.3010- Management & administration
Cost of management & administration

20.12824.612

Total Expenses

594.804

659.912

Earnings before financial income and costs-69.539-170.407

Financial result-296,79

602,04

Net result-69.836-169.805

2017

Result appropriation
Increase/Decrease continuity reserve
Addition to General Members Meeting reserve-87.83618.0002016-204.805
35.000

Budget 2017and 2018 Association Wetlands International
2018

2017

Income- Income from Governmental grants- Income from other non profit organisations
Total of private and governmental income

460.000
17.000477.000

499.500
17.000516.500

Other income
Total revenue0477.000

0516.500

Expenses- Contribution to Foundation Wetlands Int.
- General Members Meeting 2018606.6000709.000
0Management & administration- costs of management & administration

26.00026.000Total expenses

632.600

735.000

Earnings before financial income and costs-155.600-218.500

1.000

1.000

-154.600-217.500

Financial result
Res ult

Result appropiation
Increase/Decrease continuity reserve2018-189.600

2017

Wetlands International-252.500

55

- General Members Meeting 2018

00Management & administration- costs of management & administration

26.00026.000Total expenses

632.600

735.000

Earnings before financial income and costs-155.600-218.500

1.000

1.000

-154.600-217.500

Financial result
Res ult

Result appropiation

2018

2017

Increase/Decrease continuity reserve-189.600-252.500

Increase/Decrease General Members meeting reserve35.000-154.600

35.000-217.500

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

43.298,00
28.774,82-11.65460.419149.18100209.600

25.973,00
34.854,74-19.69441.13422.2222
063.35931/12/2017

31/12/2016

126.922619.129746.050

154.471819.123973.594

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

920.1580-87.836
832.322

1.124.9630-204.805
920.158

31/12/2017

31/12/2016

70.00035.000-17.000
0
88.00035.00035.0000070.00031/12/2017

31/12/2016

13
35.316035.3296.010
40.784046.794

Explanatory Notes to the Balance sheet
As per 31 December (in Euros)(1) Debtors and other receivables
Memberships contributions- Governmental contributions <2016- Governmental contributions 2017
- NGO contributions 2015
- NGO contributions 2016
Provision for doubtfull debtors
Total debtors
Current Account with Foundation Wetlands Int.
Interest to be received
Prepayments
Total

Contributions outstanding form more than 1 year are amortized
For contributions outstanding 2 years or more, the policy is maintained to institute a provision for 100% because in practise
it is impossible for the Association to enforce such payments(2) Cash & banks
Current account EUR
Deposit accounts EUR
Total
All liquidities are available on demand(3) Continuity reserve
Balance 1 January
Transfer from GMM reserve
Increase/Decrease
Balance 31 December
The result in the Association's annual account is added/substracted to/from the continuity reserve,in accordance with the organisation's reserves policy as annexed(4) General Members meeting reserve
Balance 1 January
Dotation
Withdrawal GMM costs
Withdrawal surplus transfer to continuity reserve
Balance 31 December
Yearly a fixed amount is added to this reserve in order to cover the costs of the, relatively expensive
face-to-face General mebers meeting in the years (once every three years) that they take place (latest in 2015).

(5) Short term debts
Cther liabilities
In advance received donor funds
Current Account with Foundation Wetlands Int.

56

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Explanatory Notes to the Statement of Income and Expenditure (in Euros)(6) Income
Income consists of membership contributions from NGO members and Governmental members.

31/12/2017

Governmental members 2016
Governmental members 2017

1.840
505.531

NGO members 2016
NGO members 20170
17.894(7) Contribution to Foundation Wetlands International
Organisational subsidy
Subsidy Biodiversity projects
Additional subsidy Strategic Resource Development
Additional subsidy Finance & ICT
Additional subsidy Website
Internal Governance / Org. Cultur
Network Collaboration platform
Institutional development
Arcadia Yellow Sea Proposal development
Other
Additional subsidy IWC 50

507.371

17.894525.265

31/12/2017
200.000
100.000
38.63929.44215.22024.92348.96034.76528.92926.12927.669574.676

31/12/2016
1.840
469.731017.934471.57117.934489.505

31/12/2016
200.000
105.568
106.19387.46343.49115.90276.684635.301

Wetlands International

57

GeneralAccounting
Principles
The financial statements are prepared according to
the following principles:

GeneralThe annual accounts 2017 have been drawn up
according to generally accepted accounting
principles in the Netherlands and RJ 650 for
Fundraising organisations. Assets and liabilities
in the balance sheet are valued at nominal value.
Cash and bank balances are freely disposable,
unless stated otherwise.
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded
using the rate at the time of the transaction. Assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currency areconverted at the exchange rate at the year-end.
Income and expenditure are accounted for in
the year the obligations are related to. Costs are
determined in accordance with the accounting
policies applied to the balance sheet.
Accounting principles for the different elementsof balance sheet and statement of income andexpenditure are explained in the notes.

58

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Provisions

The organisation makes a provision for the for thetri-annual General Members Meetings (GMM). This
provision is depleted in the year the actual meeting isheld to finance the costs incurred in that year.

Use of estimations

During the process of compiling the annual accounts
the management of the organisation makes, inaccordance with general accepted accounting
policies, some estimations and assumptions which
are contributory to the included amounts. The actual
results can deviate from these estimations.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include thefinancial statements of the Association (Vereniging
Wetlands International) and the Foundation(Stichting Wetlands International). All intercompany
transactions, balances and gains or losses ontransactions between these organisations are
eliminated as part of the consolidation process.

Wetlands International

59

60

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Wetlands International

61

Annexes

List of projects

CORPORATES
Sustainable livelihoods and biodiversy project to sustain and restore wetlandsin the Niger Delta, Nigeria.
Peatland ecosystem rehabilitation (Permian)Collaboration with Permian Global
to contribute to climate change mitigation by sharing information andknowledge, developing the science and understanding of climate change
mitigation through conservation and rehabilitation of carbon rich wetlands.andrehabilitation of carbon rich wetlands.

Implementation
Partners

Location

Shell

886.001-34.080

633.907-34.08001/01/2013

01/01/2016

Permian Global

149.731144.74401/04/2010

31/03/2017

Biodiversity and Livelihood Advisory Committee Uganda
Majnoon-Iraq 2015 Work towards sustainable operations and exploitation in the
Majnoon oil field development in Iraq and restoration of and sustainable
management of wetlands (the Mesopotamian Marshlands) & their resources bycontributing expertise on wetlands, their services and values.

Total Uganda
Shell

59.28579.49159.28579.49101/01/2014
01/07/2015

31/12/2016
31/12/2017

Shell Base Program 2016 Wetlands International and Shell have been engaged
in a partnership since 2008 to work on improving sustainability in the oil and gas
sector and on the wise use of wetlands. The partners are currently engaged in a
Collaborative Framework Agreement for the period 2013-17. Under the
Agreement, both are committed to working together to improve public andcorporate policies and practices.

Shell

313.843313.84301/01/2016

31/12/2017

Critical Habitat Phase 2 The objective of this second phase is to expand andimprove the Critical Habitat coverage in Shell BioMap. During this project phase 2
gaps in Critical Habitat coverage will be assessed and identified for a number of
selected priority regions. Proposals (business cases) to fill these gaps will be
developed for follow-up projects.

Shell

4.320

4.320

06/05/2016

31/03/2017

Green Infrastructure Framework Shell Develop a decision framework forecosystem-based solutions for green infrastructure and ecosystem restorationsuch as water treatment, coastline resilience, and flood control, to allow
demonstrating and quantifying environmental and social co-benefits.

Shell

26.89126.891

01/09/2016

31/03/2017

Shell

One Resilient Team Tacloban

One Architecture

20.22620.22601/03/2017

31/07/2018

Philippines

Peat Workshop
Boskalis Carbon Footprint
Peatland restoration in the Rio Valdez reserve, Tierra del Fuego

April
Boskalis
FVSA-Coca Cola

12.3346.852
3.120

12.334
6.852

ZSL, Philippine
Reclamation
Authority

Reserve Rio Valdez, TdF

25

Wetland restoration in the Ramsar Site Llancanelo Lagoon, Mendoza province,
Argentina

AVINA-Coca Cola

Llancanelo Lagoon,
Mendoza, Argentina

Wetland restoration in the Ramsar Site Guanacache Lagoons, Mendoza province,
Argentina (maintenance phase - year 1)

Tierra del Fuego
University
Mendoza
government,
TECONA
Mendoza
government,
TECONA
State Wetland
Authorities

15.60014/04/2016

31/03/2017

64.00080.00015/11/2016

28/02/2018

AVINA-Coca Cola

45.60041.741

15/11/2016

30/09/2017

Assessing management effectiveness of Ramsar Sites

Business

13.73630.99401/12/2015

30/06/2017

Strengthening waterbird monitoring in the Central Asian Flyway (CAF)

Avendus Group12.05221.16021/12/2015

30/06/2017

100
Indonesia, Malaysia,
Brunei

Netherlands; Iraq

-

-

-

Nigeria0100 Indonesia
Malaysia

100
100

UgandaGlobal20

Global/Netherlands-

Implementing
offices

End Date

PeatlandTreasuresStart Date

Coasts & Deltas

Donor

Water stores

Project description

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P1

20

20

20

20

Global50

50

Global50

50

Global100

Philippines

100
25

100 Global
Global50 Argentina

40

60

Argentina

Guanacache Lagoons,
Argentina

40

60

Argentina

India

100

India

India

100

India
Wetlands International

64

Canal Blocking along Jalan Badas-Phase 1

Brunei Shell
Petroleum (BSP)
Co. Sdn. Bhd.
Suez International

Educational Programme for public schools in Panama Bay Site

201.740

7.729

7.729

Location

100 Malaysia
July 2017

Nov. 201701/06/2014

31/08/2017

Panama100

Agusan River Basin,
Mindanao, Philipp

20

42.3369.519.491-182.783

6.499.126-182.783

15/07/2011

31/12/2016

169.276

169.276

18/08/2014

30/06/2017

Netherlands
Embassy in Mali

1.931.539

211.036

01/12/2014

31/12/2019

Malian Government, Upper Niger bain and
Altenburg andInner Niger Delta
Wymenga, otherDutch knoweldge
providers, local NGOs
and CSOs0

Building with Nature Indonesia The Building with Nature Indonesia project
accomplishes resilience along eroding delta coastlines. This innovative approachcombines civil engineering with mangrove rehabilitation to build safe andadaptive coastlines, while simultaneously introducing sustainable land use.

Fonds Duurzaam
Water
Sustainable
Water Fund - PPP

72.23672.23601/01/2015

31/12/2019

Ecoshape, Deltares, Demak district
Imares, Witteveen & Indonesia
Bos

0

SWOS Provide the required earth observation indicators to explore theconditions of the wetland ecosystems and detect on-going changes. This will
permit to prepare the ground for conservation and restoration measures which
will allow maintaining the provision of the most relevant ecosystem services andbiodiversity.

EU Horizon 2020

35.71835.71801/06/2015

01/06/2018

JENAOPTRONIK,
Europe, Senegal, Mali,
TerraSphere,
Kenya
REMOTE SENSINGSOLUTIONS,
Brockmann Geomatics, FSU JENA,
UMA, UBO, MGFI
(GNHM), TDV, UT
SEMIDE, IUCN, UNEP

30

Mongolia Strategic Management for Peatlands in Mongolia Working with the
Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the project aims to increase
the capacity of key stakeholders and to improve the planning andimplementation framework for peatland restoration and management in
Mongolia.

Asian
Development
Bank62.25262.252

17/08/2015

30/09/2017

Mongolian Ministryof Environment andTourism

Tacloban

RVO, Dutch
government

57

57

10/01/2015

31/12/2016

GOVERNMENTAL SUBSIDIES
Peatrus Peatland rewetting and sustainable management of degraded peatlands
in Russia. Reduce fire incidents and greenhouse gas emissions from peatland
drainage.
Chronic Crisis Strengthen the resilience of 50,000 people in the Horn ofAfrica through improved food and water security as well as by having
disaster risk reduction measures in place.
BAMGIRE The Goal of the project is “A living Inner Niger Delta, where livelihoods
and biodiversity are secured in a changing environment”. The specific Project
Objective is that “Government, decentralised institutions and community actions
sustain the flooding regime and natural resources of the Niger Basin so thatlivelihoods, biodiversity and the economy can adapt to a changing environment”.

Dutch postcode
loteryKfW Development
Bank, Germany
Dutchgovernment

42.336

Implementing
offices

Implementation
Partners

PeatlandTreasures

End Date

42.33642.336

Proud of your purok Integrated ecosystem and climate smart DRR andlivelihoods in the Agusan River Basin, Mindanao, the Philippines.

LOTTERIES

100.870

Start Date

Coasts & Deltas

Donor

Water stores

Project description

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P2

Care, Red Cross,Panama40

30

Central Russia

10

Philippines

100 Russia

100

Ethiopia

100

Mali

100

60

Indonesia

10

Mongolia

Europe,Senegal,Mali, Kenya

100 Global

100

Philippines

Wetlands International

65

Climate resilient flyway site network Guide the development of a coherent andclimate resilient network of protected or otherwise managed areas that areinternationally important for the conservation of migratory waterbirds in the
African-Eurasian flyway .

ICI Germany

551.165

551.165

01/10/2015

31/12/2019

Norway IWC support Funding to support coordination activities and strategic
development in the African-Eurasian region of the International Waterbird
CensusNorway Norwegian
Environment
AgencyUNEP-AEWA

10.152

10.15201/01/2016

1.378

1.378

Partners for Resilience 2 Strategic Partnership with Red Cross, CARE, Cordaid
and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre to implement Integrated Risk
Management Dialogues with government, private sector, UN, civil society andknowledge partners in 10 disaster-prone countries in Africa, Asia and Latin
America. Overall aim is to strengthen community resilience by reducing disasterrisks: addressing ecosystem degradation and climate change impacts within thewider landscapeDutchgovernment

2.199.082

2.199.082

Partners for Resilience 2 additional support through Cordaid for India

Dutch
government
Dutch
government

3.468

3.468

1.093.592

1.093.592

Swedish IWC counts 2016-2017 Funding for East African IWC counts 2016-2017

Watershed Meet the targets of universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene(WASH) by 2030. Advocate for faster results to ensure that water providers,
governments and private sector take the responsibility to ensure sustainable
water, sanitation and hygiene services as well as the water resources on which
they draw.

Implementation
Partners

Birdlife International, Mali + Ethiopia
Rubicon, McGill andKassel Universities,
EWCA, EWNHS,
HOAREC, RVLBA,
DNEF

100

Mali,
Ethiopia,
Africa30/11/2017

100

Global

22/01/2016

31/05/2017

100

Global01/01/2016

31/12/2020

Cordaid, Netherlands
Red Cross, Red Cross
Climate Center, Care

10

30

20

25

as above

0

0

0

100

50

50

10

35

01/01/2016

31/12/2020

Akvo, Simavi, IRC

01/01/2017

31/12/2017

8 members ofEuropean
Association

EU Water and Green Infrastructure (EU Operational grant)

EuropeanCommission

561.217

2.707

Demonstration Project Mongolia The project is a compliment to our on-going
Technical Assistance (TA) project with the ADB, "Strategic Planning for Peatlands
in Mongolia." Whereas the current TA focuses on planning, the new funding
would allow us to actually pilot some of the approaches we are recommending inthe strategic plan. It will also help to convince government and otherstakeholders of the viability of the approach.

AsianDevelopment
Bank44.30944.30901/09/2016

31/10/2017

Waterbird Population Estimates 6th edition. Produced since 1994 by WI. This
resource provides the authoritative benchmark on population-sizes and trends ofwaterbirds worldwide, against which qualification criteria for e.g. Ramsar site
designation and IBA identification are being used.

Canadian Wildlife
Service

7.297

7.297

01/11/2016

31/03/2017

Waterbird Specialist
Groups, WHSRN
office,BirdsCaribbean

Water Bird Fund (management) Fund to support waterbird monitoring andcapacity building

Swiss Federal
Office of theEnvironment(FOEN)

20.01920.01901/01/2017

01/01/2030

African-Eurasian
Waterbird
Monitoring
Partnership

731.196

Location

Implementing
offices

End Date

PeatlandTreasuresStart Date

Coasts & Deltas

Donor

Water stores

Project description

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P3

Brussels, BE + Ede, NL

35

Mongolia

Global15

PanamaPhilippines
Indonesia
S.AsiaUgandaEthiopia
Kenya, Mali
GlobalSouth Asia
Mali,
Uganda,Kenya,South Asia,
Global1010Europe100 Global

100

Global100

GlobalWetlands International

66

Implementing
offices

Coasts & Deltas

Implementation
Partners

Water stores

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P4

Donor

Building with Nature In Central Java we protect 70.000 people against erosion
and coastal flooding through an innovative Building with Nature design thatinvolves construction of permeable sediment trapping dams, rehabilitation ofmangrove belts, restoration of river flows and implementation of sustainableaquaculture regimes.

International
Climate Initiative(BMU)

605.603605.603

PeatRus II 2017 – 2018

KfW Development
Bank, Germany

1.421.446

1.421.446

Masterplan Jakarta bay (NCICD)

Dutch
government
AEWA African
Eurasian
Waterbird
Agreement
Canadian Wildlife
Service16.67016.67085.47785.47701/07/2017

30/11/2017

12.491

12.491

21/11/2017

31/03/2018

Wash SDG Inception phase, part of the WASH Alliance International Consortium.
Reach WASH targets by increasing demand at the user side, make WASH services
providers more efficient and creating a better enabling environment. Crosscutting themes are social inclusion and integrating water security and climatechange vulnerability issues into the WASH programming.

Dutch
government

56.47856.47801/09/2017

30/06/2018

Simavi, AMREF, IRC, Agago Basin in Northern
Practica, RAIN, RUAF, Uganda, Eastern Shewa
WASTE, Plan, SNV
Zone and Western Arsi
zone in Ethiopia

Improving resilience to climate change in the Lujan river basin

Canada Embassy

1.962

10.45022/09/2016

28/02/2017

Delta Alliance,
Lujan river basin,
Biosfera Foundation Argentina

30

Neotropical waterbird Census

CWS

4.250

4.526

13/09/2016

31/03/2017

Local partners in nine South America
countries

100

Argentina

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Conservation in South America

NMBCA-USF&WS

1.497

10.21015/09/2017

31/05/2018

SAVE Brazil, others

100

Argentina

Hengshui Lake Conservation and Management Wetland conservation andrestoration, Hengshui City, Hebei, China. Consulting services

KfW

14.83621.00001/01/2016

01/01/2020

DFS

Paraguay-Parana fluvial
corridor
China

100

China

Fujin Wetland Biodiversity Conservation Wetland conservation and restoration,
Fujin City, Heilongjiang, China

KfW

8.572

90.00001/10/2013

31/12/2018

DFS

China

100

China

Strengthening the Management Effectiveness of the Sub-System of Wetland
Protected Areas for Conservation of Globally Significant Biodiversity

SFA /UNDP

27.145241.29004/06/2015

31/12/2017

SFA

China

100

China

Management planning of Ramsar Sites of Kerala

Government of
KeralaGIZ
UNEP-GEF

7.599

32.75601/02/2015

30/06/2017

CWRDM

Kerala

50

9.844
-

24.141
292.188

01/12/2015
01/03/2015

30/06/2017
31/12/2019

Gujarat
India

100
50

Conservation Status Review 7th edition for the African-Eurasian Waterbird
Agreement (AEWA) production. Updated trends and population size estimates
for all AEWA populations.
Waterbird Population Estimate North America 2017. Collate updated
population estimates and trends for threatened and near-threatened waterbird
populations in North America. Collate Neotropical Waterbird Census data for theperiod 1990 to 2012, data will be uploaded onto the interactive lnternational
Waterbird Census online platform.

Developing management plans for two proposed Ramsar sites of Gujarat
UNEP GEF National Wetlands projectStart Date

End Date

01/09/2015

31/07/2020

Ecoshape, Deltares,
Witteveen en Bos,
Unesco-IHE

31/12/2018

Institute of Forest
Science RAS

Location

100

100

Americas

Ministry ofEnvironment, State
Governments

Indonesia

100 Russia

Russia - various
locations

Rubicon, Birdlife
Interntaional, Aarhus
University

PeatlandTreasures

Project description

Indonesia

100

Global100

Global406030

Ethiopia

40

Argentina

50

India

25

India
India

25

Wetlands International

67

Participatory management planning for Chandrabhaga Wetlands in Gujarat,
India

IUCN

12.01032.75601/12/2015

30/06/2017

Developing management plan for Loktak Wetland Complex

Government ofMnaipur

19.65432.756

21/03/2012

31/12/2017

Nationwide long-term monitoring survey in rocky shores and tidal flats

Min. EnvironmentJapan

152.045152.04501/04/2016

Nationwide long-term monitoring survey in seagrass beds and algal beds

Min. EnvironmentJapan

162.048

162.048

Nationwide long-term monitoring survey in inland waters

Min. EnvironmentJapan

143.082

Promoting public awareness on the World Wetlands Day 2016

Min. Environment
Japan

Management of the website for the Domestic Ramsar Committee for Relevant
Municipalities

Implementation
Partners

Location

50

50

India

Loktak Development India
Authority

50

50

India

31/03/2017

Scientists, MOE-J

Japan

80

20

Japan

01/04/2016

31/03/2017

Scientists, MOE-J

Japan

80

20

Japan

143.082

01/04/2016

31/03/2017

Scientists, MOE-J

Japan

80

3.081

3.081

14/12/2016

24/03/2017

MOE-J

Japan

100

Japan

Domestic Ramsar
Committee

2.153

2.153

01/04/2016

31/03/2017

Local government

Japan

100

Japan

Learning and exchange event of Domestic Ramsar Committee for Relevant
Municipalities

Domestic Ramsar
Committee

6.802

6.802

01/04/2016

31/03/2017

Local government

Japan

100

Japan

SGP-GEF Knowledge Fair
Mangrove Replanting

SGP-GEF
Forestry
Department
CREHO Ramsar
Center
UNDP-IKI

26.7492.058

27.388
2.107

100
100

Malaysia
Malaysia

7.895

7.895

Jun. 2017

Dec 2017

Panama100

Panama128.071604.250

July 2014

Dec 2017

Panama50

Technical coordination of the Management Plan for Refugio Vida Silvestre La
Barqueta
Protection of carbon sinks and reservoirs in mangroves and protected areas inPanama.

CONNECTED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONSInternational Waterbird Census-AEWA

IWC 2017 Global coordination of the IWC and IWC data management, AWC andEAAF focus, Indian Ocean Coasts 2017 promotion
NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS
Responsible Peat Representation in the board of an established Foundation for
Responsibly Produced Peat (RPP). WI represents the conservation sector in theestablishment and monitoring of an industry-led certification mechanism for
responsible peat in Europe.
MedWet partners for Water Magnifying civil society initiavtives for integradedwater resource management to sustain Mediterranean wetlands

Association of
Wetlands
International
Association of
Wetlands
International
Stichting RHP

MAVAFoundation

Gujarat

Implementing
offices

End Date

PeatlandTreasuresStart Date

Coasts & Deltas

Donor

Water stores

Project description

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P5

UNDP, CI, Min ofEnvironment,
National Authority
Aquatic Resources

10

10

50

Japan

Panama100.000
50.000100.000

50.00002/01/2017

31/12/2017

100

Global50.00050.00002/01/2017

31/12/2017

100

Global2.576.368
2.714

615.8572.714

01/01/2013

31/01/2019

62.62462.62401/01/2015

31/12/2017

Foundation
Responsibly
Produced Peat

North West Europe

100 Global

100

GlobalWetlands International

68Implementation
Partners

Location

Building with Nature - Greenhouse gas footprint Reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from hydrological works through Building with Nature principles.

Ecoshape

12.77812.77801/01/2013

31/10/2017

Mangrove Capital Phase II A leading mangrove conservation initiative inIndonesia. Overarching aim to rehabilitate degraded and non-productive
coastlines in Western Indonesia by creating multiple use mangrove landscapes,
where healthy mangroves coexist with and contribute to productive agriculture,
aquaculture and fisheries sectors. Action research and demonstration projects
are the basis for policy dialogues which inspire government partners,
communities and private sector stakeholders to act.

WaterlooFoundation

31.97531.97501/09/2014

31/08/2017

Cacheu Mangroves Conservation Guinea Bissau Conserve and restore theCacheu Mangroves Natural park in Guinea Bissau as well as its valuablebiodiversity and the rich resources the park and its surroundings provide to the
local community.

TuringFoundation

7.531

7.531

01/05/2015

30/04/2018

IFPRI Use of an agent-based modeling (ABM) approach to define key water andrelated ecosystem services.

IFPRI

2.972

2.972

01/01/2015

31/12/2016

Katingan Paludiculture Project will support the conservation and restoration of a
Katingan tropical peat swamp forest for their biodiversity, carbon storage androle in sustaining local livelihoods.

Stichting Otter
Fonds

14

14

01/12/2015

30/11/2017

Katingan, Central
Kalimantan, Indonesia

Indonesian Peatland Support Project Support the restoration and sustainable
management of Indonesian peatlands through engagement with the private
sector, civil society and the Government of Indonesia

Climate and Land
Use Alliance Indonesia
programme

83.83483.83401/04/2016

31/12/2017

Indonesian peatlands

IRM Karamoja Improved natural resources management in Lokok and Lokere
Catchments

Cordaid

9.183

9.183

01/05/2016

28/02/2017

RSPO workshop Wetlands International will design, run and manage 2
workshops for RSPO members on how to implement the RSPO P&C and practiceBest Management on peatlands. This also includes development of relevant
training materials for both workshops.

RSPO

24.06724.06701/09/2016

30/04/2017

RSPO modules Design and develop script text for RSPO Sustainability College
online module for Existing Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat and Manual on BMPs forManagement and Rehabilitation of Natural Vegetation Associated with Oil Palm
Cultivation on Peat, including one module on how to implement RSPO’s P&C
2013 in relation to Peatlands.

RSPO

13.60613.606

01/09/2016

31/03/2017

Indonesian Peatland Partnership Fund aims to become an independent
Indonesian fund managed by local, national and international NGOs operating inIndonesia. The fund will be managed explicitly for NGO and CSO support, in orderto enable community-based initiatives for peatland conservation, restoration andsustainable development.

Good Energies
Foundation

168.845168.845

01/11/2016

31/10/2019

WSFI main sites Define main coastal sites for waterbirds for the coastal East
Atlantic Flyway and relate IWC database count units to these sites

SOVON
Vogelonderzoek
Nederland

7.339

7.339

01/12/2016

31/01/2017

Altenburg &Wymenga, IBAP,ODZH & Env.
mininistry GB

Implementing
offices

End Date

PeatlandTreasuresStart Date

Coasts & Deltas

Donor

Water stores

Project description

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P6

100

GlobalDemak DistrictIndonesia

0100Indonesia,
GlobalGuinea Bissau, Cacheu

5050GuineaBissau,Global

100
20

Mali
80

Indonesia

100 Indonesia

Cordaid, Acacia
UgandaWater, Rain, Caritas
Kotido, TPO Uganda,
Socadido

100

Uganda100 Global

100 Global

Indonesian Civil
Society Partners

100 Indonesia

Selected peatlandcommunities inIndonesia

100

Global001/01/2017

31/03/2019

various NGOs andSenegal, Tanzania,
CBOs, governmental Africa wide
actors and research
institutes

001/01/2017

31/12/2017

1.566.152

136.761

2.829

2.829

RSPO
DOB Ecology

14.553120.784

14.5531.369

462.65301/04/2017

31/03/2019

Corredor Azul Connecting People, Nature and Economies along the ParanáParaguay River System

DOB Ecology

74.99621.3192.048.149

01/11/2017

31/10/2019

MAVA MedPlatform Project Promote sustainable water use in the (southernand eastern) Mediterranean by bringing wetland needs and their contributions
to society into dialogues around water allocation and management.

MAVA
Foundation

11.00411.0046.970,41

01/11/2017

31/12/2020

Conserving Biodiversity and the resources provided to the local community of
the Cacheu Mangroves Natural Park Guinea-Bissau.

TuringFoundation

114.686

350.000

01/05/2015

4/1/2018

Development of Annual Restoration Action Plan
Asian Waterbird Census - Indonesia : Inventory and Capacity Building

WRI- HONGS
MFF-ARO
Keidanren Nature
Conservation
Fund

107.658
24.21037.17023.340116.445
25.13338.58823.34001/06/2017
01/08/2016
01/01/2017
01/04/2016

31/03/2018
31/03/2018
31/12/2017
31/03/2019

Japan Fund for
GlobalEnvironment

26.75626.75601/04/2016

31/03/2019

10.80001/09/2015

30/09/2019

Project
expenditure total project2017 17.544
Global2017
budget17.544organisation Foundation
(EUR)
(EUR)
NL (EUR)

Start Date

CAF America –International &Domestic Donor
Advised Funds

RSPO Manual
Saving High Andean Wetlands

NCB Implementation of Country Strategies and Action Plans

Promoting Ramsar Convention's Programme on CEPA 2016-2024 in Japan andAsia - Contribution to the Ramsar COP13 as CEPA NGO National Focal Point Development of an environmental education program on tidal flat and creationof a network on tidal flat around the Ariake Sea.
NICHE-MALI-251 : Renforcement des capacités des Institutions d’Enseignement
Supérieur dans la Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eau

Project
description
Technical and legal framework
to improve
coastal marine resources managementin Panama
Local support to summer programme
GRAND TOTAL

Donor

Tulsa University

Global

100 Global
40 Argentina

Pozuelos Lagoon and
Junin Lake
Paraguay-Parana fluvial
corridor

60
40

20

Global Water
Partnership, IUCN;
MedWet Initiative;
Tour du Valat; WWF
North
Altenburg &Wymenga, IBAP,ODZH & Env.
mininistry GB

South Mediterranean(North Africa and the
Middle East/MENA)

40

60

Guinea Bissau, Cacheu

50

50Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Ramsar Center Japan Asia etc

10
100
20
100

10

Local government,
Scientists

80

20

40

Argentina
GlobalGuineaBissau,Africa80

80

Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Japan

Japan

P8

2.276
International
Centre for
Research in
Project
Agriculture (ICRA) expenditure
Conservation
International

100

ECOAN, APN,SERNANP, INTA
Several in Argentina& BrazilJapan

Senegal,
Kenya

100

4.386

13.124.196

4.386

7.891.225

End Date

Nov. 2017

June 2018

March 2017

April 2017

Mali

Implementation

CI andPartners
Min ofEnvironment

100

Location

PanamaPanama

50

100

Mali

50

Implementing
offices

CAF donation for Essay Competition Wetlands awareness campaign in Malaysia
with school children (essay writing contest) as part of Coasts Count 2017.

3.167.300

PeatlandTreasures

DOB Ecology

GlobalCoasts & Deltas

Mangrove Capital Africa To safeguard and restore mangrove ecosystems in Eastand West Africa for the benefit of people and nature. More specifically we expectthat by 2027, 1 million hectares of African mangroves are conserved or restored,
maintaining their biodiversity while also benefitting some 2 million people. Onthe-ground activities will start in the Saloum Delta in Senegal and the Rufiji Delta
in Tanzania.

100

Implementing
officesTunisia, Algeria andMoroccoPeatlandTreasures

31/03/2017

Coasts & Deltas

01/01/2016

542

WWF European
Policy Programme- Branch Office

Location

Water stores

End Date

542

MedWet CSN Promote the conservation and wise use of selected priority
wetlands in North Africa by establishing and training a network of CSOs

Implementation
Partners

Start Date

Water stores

Donor

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

Project description

Project
Project
expenditure expenditure total projectbudget20172017 Global(EUR)
organisation Foundation
NL (EUR)(EUR)

Health Wetland
NatureBlue Lifelines

P7

PanamaPanamaList of publications
Title

Author(s)William J. Sutherland, Stuart H.M. Butchart, Ben
Connor, Caroline Culshaw, Lynn V. Dicks, Jason
Dinsdale, Helen Doran, Abigail C. Entwistle, Erica

A 2018 Horizon Scan of Emerging Issues for Global
Conservation and Biological Diversity

Fleishman, David W. Gibbons, Zhigang Jiang, Brandon
Keim, Xavier Le Roux, Fiona A. Lickorish, Paul Markillie,
Kathryn A. Monk, Diana Mortimer, James W. PearceHiggins, Lloyd S. Peck, Jules Pretty, Colleen L. Seymour,Mark D. Spalding, Femke H. Tonneijck, Rosalind A.
GleaveSuccessful conservation of global waterbird

populations depends on effective governance Nature
553, p. 199 – 202

WASH and Water Security: Integration and the role ofcivil society

A landscape approach for disaster risk reduction in 7
steps

WASH/IWRM alignment in Dutch foreign policies andpractices

Water Shocks: Wetlands and Human Migration in the
Sahel

Nagy, Taej Mundkur, Tom Langendoen, Daniel Blanco,
Candan U. Soykan & William J. Sutherland
Frank van Weert

CARE Nederland and Wetlands International

Joyce Kortlandt
F. Jane Madgwick, Robert Oakes, Fred Pearce & Rebecca
E. Tharme

Keeping the water in the landscape, Uganda

Wetlands International

Urban water dialogues, Panamá

Wetlands International

Wetlands restoration to reduce risks, India

Wetlands International

Water trade-offs to reduce droughts in the Tana Delta,
Kenya

Assessing risks across the Agusan river basin,
Philippines

71

Tatsuya Amano, Tamás Székely, Brody Sandel, Szabolcs

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Wetlands International

Wetlands International

Public private sector collaboration in Jana, Indonesia
The Asian Waterbird Census 2008-2015: Results ofcoordinated counts in Asia and Australasia
Regiones de Humedales de la Argentina(Wetland regions of Argentina)

Guía práctica para la clausura de drenajes en turberasintervenidas (Practical guide for patagonian peatland
restoration)

Wetlands International

Taej Mundkur, Tom Langendoen and Doug Watkins
Laura Benzaquen, Daniel E. Blanco, Roberto Bo,
Patricia Kandus, Guillermo Lingua, Priscilla Minotti &Rubén Quintana, editors (2017) ISBN: 978-987-29811-6-7
Rodolfo Iturraspe, Adriana Urciuolo & Sergio Camargo(2017) ISBN: 978-987-29811-5-0

Documento de propuestas y recomendaciones dela sociedad civil para enfrentar el cambio climático
y mejorar la sustentabilidad ambiental de la

Cuenca del Río Luján (Document of proposals andMarta Andelman, Adriana Anzolín & Daniel E. Blanco(2017)

recommendations from the civil society to improve theenvironmental sustainability of the Luján River basin)
Comparison of monitoring methods for reed belt

ichthyofauna in a eutrophic lake, central Honshu,
Japan.

Altas of wetlands in Japan

Genetic Identification of Sagittaria natans(Alismataceae) from Lake Yonuma (Iwate Prefecture)
as a New Locality in Japan

Excerpts of the Report of the Ramsar Symposium 2016
in Nakaumi and Shinji-ko

Kouki Kanou, Seiji Usui, Yuta Kawashima, Ken-ichi
Yokoi. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology 64(1): 1-10
Edited by The Japan Wetland Society, co-written(Yoshihiro Natori, Miki Sasaki) ISBN: 978-4-254-18052-7
Takashi Shiga, Syou Kato, Mitsuru Usuba, Takashi
Yamanouchi, Tomohiro Kurazono, Yuki Hirasawa andMami Yamazaki. The Journal of Japanese Botany 92(4):184-192
Edited and published by Wetlands International in
Japan, Ramsar Center Japan

Wetlands International

72

Supervisory Council& Board of Association
As per 31 December 2017, the Supervisory Council of the Foundation and the Board of the Association of Wetlands
International had the following members:

Start ofMembersterm

End ofPositionsterm
Director General of the National Institute for Public
Health and the Environment, ‘RIVM’
Other positions:• Chairman of The Zuid-Hollands LandscapeFoundation (Stichting Het Zuid-Hollands Landschap)

Prof. Emeritus• Member of the Board ‘De12Landschappen’, on behalf(1st term)• Member of the Board of the Foundation for

André van der Zande

2015

of the Zuid-Hollands Landscape Foundation
2018

Innovation of Peatlands Centre (Stichting
Veenweiden Innovatie Centrum)

Chair Supervisory Council• Member the Advisory Committee Prof. Pieter van

Chair board of Association

Vollenhoven• Member of the General Council of the Foundation
for Future in Technology (Stichting Toekomstbeeld
der Techniek - (STT))• Member of the Economic Board Utrecht (EBU)
Prof Dr Noelle Aarts

Professor Communication and Change in Life Science(2nd term)Contexts, Wageningen University and Research

2014

2017

Professor Strategic Communication (LOGEION chair),Member Supervisory Council

Amsterdam School of Communications Research,

Member Board of Association

University of Amsterdam

Dr Gonzalo Castro de la Mata
(3rd term)
2019

2016

Chairman, World Bank Inspection Panel

Member Supervisory Council
Secretary Board of Association
Dr Angelique Van de Beeten(1st term)
2016

2019
Member Supervisory Council

General Director, Banketbakkerij Wouter de Graaf B.V.
(per April 2017)

Treasurer Board of Association
Prof Kazuaki Hoshino

Project Professor, Kagoshima Center for Community(1st term)
2015

2018
Member Supervisory Council
Member Board of Association

73

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Development at Kagoshima University
Other position: Visiting Professor at UNU Institute for the
Advanced Study of Sustainability

Start ofMembersterm

End ofPositionsterm
Chair, IUCN / World Commission on Protected Areas

Dr Kathy Mackinnon

Other positions:• Board Member, Botanic Gardens Conservation(3rd term)
2015

Member (vice chair)

2018

International• Member, Cambridge Conservation Science Group,
University of Cambridge

Supervisory Councill• Trustee UN Environment -World Conservation

Member Board of Association

Monitoring Centre
Consultant in fund-raising and foundation management
Other positions:

Dr Dan Martin• Trustee, Micronesia Conservation Trust(2nd term)
2015

2018
Member Supervisory Council• Board of Directors, Environmental Film Festival,
Washington, DC• Trustee, Knox College

Member Board of Association• Board of Directors, Friends of Costa Rica
• Board of Directors, Cuso International (Canada)Team Leader, Implementation Service Provider for
Catchment Management, Shire River Basin Management
Program
Other positions:

Dr Eliot Taylor• Director, Mott MacDonald Blantyre (Malawi) Ltd• Honorary member of the International Society for(1st term)
2014

2017

Limnology (SIL)

Member Supervisory Council• Member of the Freshwater Biological Association

Member Board of Association• Member of the Chartered Institute of Water andEnvironmental Management (MCIWEM)• Chartered Scientist (C. Sci)
• Chartered Environmentalist (C. Env.)• Chartered Water and Environmental Manager (C. WEM)

Edward S. Ayensu(1st term)
2018

2016
Member Supervisory Council

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the African
Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana

Member Board of Association

Observer(ex officio)

Ms Martha Rojas – Urrego
Observer (of the Secretariat-of the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands) of the Supervisory-

Secretary General, Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention
on Wetlands

Council
Observer of Board of
Association
Wetlands International

74

Counsellors of Honour

NameAwardedMichael Moser

1988

Chris Kalden

2002

Max Finlayson

2007

Stewart Morrison

2007

Jan Ernst de Groot

2015

Marcel Silvius

2017

Management Team
Name

Position

Ms Jane Madgwick

Chief Executive Officer, Wetlands International, the Netherlands

Other positions:
Member of the Governing Body, Wetlands International South Asia Society, India
Council member, Wetlands International, Malaysia
Council member, Fundacion para la Conservacion y el Uso Sustentable de los
Humedales, Argentina
Chair, Wetlands International – European Association, the Netherlands75

Ms Josje Reinartz

Chief Operations Officer, Wetlands International, the Netherlands

Mr Lifeng Li

Head of Programmes (from July 2017), Wetlands International, the Netherlands

Ms Mira-Bai Simón

Head of Communications and Advocacy, Wetlands International, the Netherlands

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Members of
the Association
Countries• Austria• Belgium• Benin• Bulgaria

Non-governmental organisations• BirdLife Denmark / Danish Ornithological Society(DOF)• BirdLife Netherlands / Vogelbescherming
Nederland• Chile• BirdLife Switzerland / Schweizer Vogelschutz (SVS)• China• British Association for Shooting and Conservation• Denmark• Ecuador• Estonia• Finland• Germany• Hungary• India(BASC) (United Kingdom)• Federation of Associations for Hunting andConservation of the EU (FACE)• German Association for Game Protection /Deutscher Jagdschutz-Verband (DJV)• National Association of Regional Game Councils(NARGC) (Ireland)• Ireland• Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)• Japan• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB),• Kenya• Malaysia• Netherlands• Norway(United Kingdom)• Swedish Birdlife / Sveriges Ornitologiska Förening(SOF)• Via Pontica Foundation (Bulgaria)• Pakistan• Slovakia• Slovenia• Sweden• Switzerland

Wetlands International76

Our partnerships• Aarhus University• Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA)• Acacia Water• EthioWetlands• African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Secretariat• Euro-Mediterranean Information System on• African-Eurasian Waterbird Monitoring Partnershipknow-how in the Water sector (EMWIS)• Akvo• European Union Development Committee (EU DevCo)• Altenburg & Wymenga• Eyes on the Forest• AMISO• FERN• AMREF• Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United• AMREF Netherlands• Forest and Peoples Programme• ASAN• Forests and Climate Change• ASEAN members• Foundation for Responsible Peat

• ASOS• Foundation Responsibly Produced Peat

• Association Nafore• Friedrich-Schiller-Universität (FSU) JENA

• Banc d’Arguin National Park

• Global Environment Centre• Bioprocess Pilot Facility B.V. (BPF)• Global Water Partnership – Mediterranean• Biosfera Foundation• GPC• BirdLife International• GreenPeace• BirdsCaribbean• Greifswald Mire Centre• Boskalis• Guinea-Bissauan Institute for Biodiversity and• Brockmann Geomatics

Protected Areas (IBAP)• Care• Hanze Wetlands• Caritas• Himalayan Action Research Centre (HARC), Utarakand,• CMS Flyways Working Group

India• Commonland• HOAREC• Conservation International• Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and• Cordaid

Network (HoA-REC&N)• CSO Network Odisha• Hutan Kita Institute• CWRDM• Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP)• DAMCP• Imares• De Vrije Koe• IMPACT• DEF• Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests and• Delta Alliance

Climate Change• Deltares• Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries• DFS• Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing• District of Demak, Indonesia• Innovatie Programma Veen (Landschap Noord-• DNEF

Holland, Agrarische Natuur Vereniging Water• DPNLand en Dijken, Provincie Noord-Holland,• DPWM

Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier)• Dutch Postcode Lottery• Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP)• East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)• Institute of Forest Science RAS

ECNHS• ECO Uganda• Institute of Forest Science, Russian Academy of
Science• ECOAN• INTA• EKBY• International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)• Environmental Paper Network (EPN)• International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG)• Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC)• International Peatland Society (IPS)

Philippines• Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS)
77

Nations (FAO)• APN

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

• IRC
• IUCN• JENAOPTRONIK• Remote Sensing Solutions• Jikalahari• RHP• Kassel University• Rift Valley Lakes Basin Authority• Kenyan Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Water• Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)Resource Management Authority (WRMA)• RUAF Foundation• Loktak Development Authority• Rubicon Foundation• Mali National Directorate of Water and Forests• Satelligence(DNEF)• SAVE Brazil• Malian Ministry of Water and Energy• SEEDS, India• Mangroves for the Future• SERNANP• MBP• Shell• McGill University• Simavi• MedWet Initiative• Socadido• Meki Batu Cooporative Farmer’s Union• State Wetland Authorities• Merti Integrated Development Programme (MID P)• Stichting Bargerveen• MGFI (GNHM)• Stichting Probos• Michale Succow Stiftung• Tauw• Mongolian Academy of Sciences• TECONA• Mongolian Forest Research Association• TerraSphere• Mongolian Ministry of Environment, Green• The Nature Conservancy

Development and Tourism MonMap Co. Ltd.

• Tierra del Fuego University• Nature Mauritanie• Tour du Valat• Nature Uganda• TPO Uganda• Natuurverdubbelaars

• UBO

• NCD

• UK Ministry of Environment• Nébéday• UMA• Nederlands Veengenootschap• UN Environment Program• NETCOAST• Unesco-IHE• Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS)• University of Bonn

• Organization for the Defense of Wetlands (ODZH)• UNNATI, India• Palm Oil Innovation Group (POIG)• UT SEMIDE• Partos• Van Oord

• Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk

• Veenweide Innovatie centrum

Reduction (PEDRR)• Vitens Evitens• Perkumpulan SaMPan• Von Lieberman• Philippine Reclamation Authority• Wageningen University• PND• Wahana Bumi Hijau• Practica• Walhi Riau

• PRCM (Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine• WARSI

Conservation)• WASTE• PT Rimba Makmur Utama• WHSRN office• Rabobank• Witteveen & Bos• Radboud University• Woods and Wayside International• RAIN Foundation• World Waternet• Rainforest Action Network• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)• Ramsar Convention Secretariat and Regional• Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

Centres• Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies• Yayasan Auriga• Zoological Society of London• Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center
Wetlands International78

Associate
Experts

Specialist
Groups• Ab Grootjans• Cormorant Specialist Group• Abdoulaye Ndiaye• Crane Specialist Group• Arina Schrier• Duck Specialist Group• Arne Jensen• Flamingo Specialist Group• Bart Fokkens• Freshwater Fish Specialist Group• Bernard Mercer• Goose Specialist Group• Dave Pritchard• Swan Specialist Group• Delmar Blasco• Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group• Derek Scott• Waterbird Harvest Specialist Group• Doug Watkins• Wetland Restoration Specialist Group• Fred Perce• Woodcock & Snipe Specialist Group• Gernant Magnin• Hanneke van Lavieren

All of the above Specialist Groups except the ones

• Henk Zingstra

on Waterbird Harvest and Wetland Restoration are• Jan Veen

coordinated jointly by Wetlands International and the• Jill Heyde

IUCN Species Survival Commission.

• John Howes• Joost van der Ven• Mike Moser• Rebecca d’Cruz• Rebecca Tharme• Pablo Yorio• Sansanee Choowaew• Simon Delany• Steven de Bie• Szabolcs Nagy
• Tatiana Minajewa• Tim Dodman• Tim Jones• Wim Giesen

79

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Donors
Intergovernmental organisations andInternational initiatives• Asian Development Bank (ADB)• East Asian - Australasian Flyway Partnership
Secretariat• European Commission• Ramsar (Japanese Committee for Relevant
Municipalities and CREHO)• Roundtable on sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)(AEWA and GEF)

Governments• Canada Global Affairs

Private sector corporations• Avendus Group• Avina Coca-Cola• Danone• Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF)• National Geographic Society (NGS)• One Architecture• Permian Global• Total Uganda

Trusts and foundations• AVINA Americas• DOB Ecology• Fundacion Vida Silvestre Argentina, FVSA - Coca
Cola

• Canadian Embassy, Argentina• Climate and Land Use Alliance• Canadian Wildlife Service• Mava Foundation• China State Forestry Administration (SFA)• Michael Otto Stiftung• German Corporation for International Cooperation• RHP foundation

GmbH (GIZ)• German Federal Ministery for the Environment,• Stichting Otter Fonds• Stichting RHPNature Conservation and Nuclear Safety,• Turing Foundation

International Climate Initiative (ICI)• Waterloo Foundation• German Development Bank (Kreditanstalt fürWiederaufbau, KfW)
• Kerala government, India• Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE)• Japan Ministry of the Environment• Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)• Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS)• Netherlands Sustainable Water Fund
• Netherlands Embassy in Mali
• Norwegian Environment Agency• United States Agency for International
Development (USAID)• Rockefeller resilience challenge

Non-governmental organisations• Cordaid• EcoShape• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)• IUCN Asia Regional Office• IRC (ircwash.org)• Netherlands Red Cross• Netherlands Water Partnership• Sovon• WWF

Wetlands International

80Corporate Social
Responsibility
Wetlands International strives to act in her daily

The Katingan project is certified under the Verified

operations in a sustainable and socially responsible

Carbon Standard (VCS) and Climate Community andway. In our office in the Netherlands, we stimulate

Biodiversity Alliance (CCBA).

our employees to use public transport and all flights
booked are compensated for their CO2 emission (435

We further work to reduce our ecological footprint.

ton CO2 emission in 2017). We buy certified carbon

We publish as much as possible our communicationcredits generated by the Katingan project that aims

materials online and only essential stationary material

to reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity

is printed. We increasingly use e-meetings and online

and create sustainable economic development

seminars. Most of our office supplies such as coffee, tea

opportunities that improve the lives of ruraland paper are organic, recycled and fair trade. We havecommunities. It does this by protecting and restoringan automatic energy saving light system. Our officea 200,000 ha peat swamp forest in Indonesian Borneo.

waste is separated for recycling purposes.

Photo credits

Photo opposite by Boskalis;
Lake Junin on page 18 by Jorge Gonnet;
Paraná on page 20 Francisco Firpo Lacoste;
Tver region on page 22 by Kirill Shahmatov;
Other photos from Wetlands International.

81

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Inhabitants of Bedono, Indonesia

Wetlands International82

Contacts
HEAD OFFICE
Wetlands International
Ms. Jane Madgwick - Chief Executive
Officer

LATIN AMERICA &CARRIBEAN

Postal address
PO Box 471
6700 AL Wageningen, The Netherlands
Visiting address
Horapark 96717 LZ Ede, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 318 660 910 Fax: + 31 318 660 950
Email: post@wetlands.org
Website: www.wetlands.org

Wetlands International Guinea-Bissau
Mr. Joãozinho Sá - National Coordinator

Wetlands International Latinoamérica y el
Caribe – Argentina
Fundación Humedales
Mr. Daniel E. Blanco – Director

Wetlands International Africa/Bissau
Apt.231031 Codex Bissau Rep.
Guinee-Bissau
Cell : +245 95 550 6648
Email: jsa@wetlands-africa.org
Website: http://africa.wetlands.org

Visiting address
Cap. Gral. Ramón Freire 1512,
1426 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: +54 11 4312 0932/ 0054 11 4313 4543
Email: info@humedales.org.ar
Website: http://lac.wetlands.org

AFRICA

Wetlands International Kenya
Ms. Julie Mulonga - Programme Manager

Wetlands International Africa
Mr. Ibrahima Thiam - Regional Director

Postal / Visiting address
Woodlands Road, Woodlands Court,
Off Dennis Pritt Road
PO Box P.O.BOX 22475- 00505 Ngong Road
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 707 366395
Email: kenya@wetlands-africa.org
Website: http://africa.wetlands.org

Wetlands International Latinoamérica y el
Caribe – Panamá
Fundación Wetlands International
Ms. Mayté González Sánchez - Director

Postal address
BP 25 581
Dakar – Fann, Senegal
Visiting address:
Rue 111, N° 39, Zone B
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: +221 33 869 1681
Email: wetlands@wetlands-africa.org
Website: http://africa.wetlands.org
Visiting address Nigeria
c/o Living Earth Nigeria Foundation
3A Oromineke Street, D - Line
Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Nigeria
Tel: +234 (802) 9178444
Wetlands International Mali
(Sahelian Sub-Regional Office)Mr. Karounga Keita – National Coordinator
Postal / Visiting addresses
Bamako Office
Rue 392, Porte NC
Bamako Hamdallaye ACI 2000
Face Clinique Kabala, Bamako, Mali
Tel/Fax: +223 20 290 901 and +223 20 290
925
Email: malioffice@wetlands-africa.org
Website: http://africa.wetlands.org
And

83

Sévaré Office
PO Box 97
Contigu Conseil Régional de Mopti
Mopti/Sévaré, Mali
Tel: +223 21 420 122

Annual Review and Accounts 2017

Wetlands International Ethiopia
Mr. Amdemichael Mulugeta – ProjectManager
Postal address:
P.O. Box 80773
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Visiting address:
Jomo Kenyatta Street,
EEC Mekaneyesus Building,
7th floor office No.704
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 (910) 123505
Wetlands International Uganda
Lorna Kobusingye – Policy and Advocacy
Officer
Postal address:
c/o Nature Uganda,
P.O. Box 27034, Kampala, Uganda
Visiting address
Naguru Plot 1 Katalima Crescent,behind Kembabazi Restaurant, Kampala
Tel: +256 755 066660
Skype: lorna.kobs

Postal address:
Apdo. Postal 0819 - 03717
Panamá, República de Panamá
Visiting address:
Calle Jacinto Palacios Cobos
Edificio 225-PB Local C
Ciudad del Saber, Clayton
Panamá, República de Panamá
Tel: +507 317 16 74 / 64
Email: panama@wetlands.org
Website: http://lac.wetlands.org
Wetlands International Guatemala
Mr. Jorge Alberto Ruiz OrdoñezTechnical Coordinator
Visiting address
22 Calle 15-25 zona 13
Guatemala, 01013, República deGuatemalaTel: +502 23314575 ext. 102
Cell: +502 5717 9359
Email: wi.guatemala1@gmail.com
Website: http://lac.wetlands.org

EUROPE

SOUTHEAST ASIA

SOUTH ASIA

Wetlands International European
Association
Mr. Cy Griffin – European ProgrammeManager

Wetlands International Indonesia
Mr. Nyoman Suryadiputra - Director

Wetlands International South Asia
Mr. Ritesh Kumar - Conservation
Programme Manager

Postal address
NL: PO Box 471, 6700 AL Wageningen
BE: Rue de Trèves 59-61, B-1040 Brussels
Visiting address
NL: Horapark 9, 6717 LZ Ede
BE: Rue de Trèves 59-61, B-1040 Brussels
Tel: +31 318 660 912
Mob: +32 (0)473 785806
Email: cy.griffin@wetlands.org
Website: http://europe.wetlands.org
Wetlands International Russia
Ms. Irina Kamennova – Programme
Coordinator
Postal/Visiting address
Nikoloyamskaya Street 19, bd 3,
Moscow 109240, Russia
Tel.: +7 495 7270939
Email: IKamennova@wwf.ru
Website: http://russia.wetlands.org

NORTH ASIA
Wetlands International China
Mr. Chen Kelin - Director
Postal/visiting address
Room 501, Grand Forest Hotel,
No. 3A Bei Sanhuan Zhonglu Road,
Beijing 100029, People’s Republic of China
Tel: +86 10 62377031
Email: wicn@wetwonder.org
Website: http://wetwonder.org
Wetlands International Japan
Mr. Ken-ichi Yokoi - Director
Postal/Visiting address:
2F Jono Building 2,
17-1 Nihonbashi-Odenmacho,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0011, Japan
Tel: +81 3 5614 2150
Email: info@wi-japan.org
Website: http://japan.wetlands.org

Postal address
P.O. Box 254 BOO
Bogor 16002, Indonesia
Visiting address
Jl. Bango No. 11 Tanah Sareal Bogor 16161
Indonesia
Tel: +62 251 8312189
Fax. +62 251 8325755
Email: admin@wetlands.or.id
Website: http://indonesia.wetlands.org/

Postal/visiting address
A-25, 2nd Floor, Defence Colony
New Delhi 110024, India
Tel: +91 11 24338906, 46038906
Email: wi.southasia@wi-sa.org
Website: http://south-asia.wetlands.org

Wetlands International Malaysia
Dato’ Paduka Ir. (Dr.) Hj. Keizrul bin
Abdullah Chairman of the Board of Directors
Postal / visiting address
3A31, Block A, Kelana Centre Point,
Jalan SS7/19,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 7804 6770 Fax: +60 3 7804 6772
Email: malaysia@wetlands.org.my
Website: http://malaysia.wetlands.org
Wetlands International Brunei
Ms. Aziah Binti Muhamad - Technical
Officer
Visiting address
2F, 1st Floor
Simpang 8
Bangunan Haji Ali
Kpg Rimba, BE 3119
Brunei Darussalam
Email: aziah@wetlands.org.my
Wetlands International Philippines
Ms. Annadel S. Cabanban
Country Representative and ProgrammeManager ‘Partners for Resilience’
Visiting address:
Room 904, 9th Floor
DMG Center
Corner Guevara and Calbayog Streets
Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila,
Philippines
Email: annadel.cabanban@wetlands.org
Website: www.wetlands.org

Wetlands International

84

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