The charter is intended to complement the World Charter for Nature, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982. The Charter for Mangroves sets out general principles, functions and means for their implementation. General principles Mangrove ecosystems should be conserved and managed to achieve sustainable development, i.e. sustainable productivity with the integrity of other ecosystems with which they coexist. The acquisition and dissemination of knowledge on the structure, function and management of mangrove ecosystems will be encouraged by all possible means, including international research and technical cooperation. Also taken into consideration are rehabilitation and compensation mechanisms to mitigate the impact of non-sustainable mangrove use.
Regulatory measures are also foreseen.
Implementation Resources, programmes and administrative structures should be provided to achieve sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems. All parties, including governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and individuals should cooperate fully to achieve sustainable mangrove ecosystem management. One population breeds in the Russian Far East and is relatively healthy. Up to 2500 individuals have been reported from its breeding grounds in a recent year. The western Siberian population is now so small, however, that it may no longer be viable.