The Ramsar Convention for Wetlands of International Importance is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Signed February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, the convention was ratified by 21 parties which has to date increased to 168 parties. The convention is held every three years at different locations.
Through the Ramsar Convention, wetlands across the globe have the opportunity to be recognized for their unique and diverse ecological importance. The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance now includes 2,186 sites (known as Ramsar Sites) covering over 200,000,000 ha (490,000,000 acres).
