Press Release

June 06, 2022
  • Nature & Parks

Niigata City and Izumi City Awarded for the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention

１． The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, announced that during the 59th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee held in Gland, Switzerland, from May 23 to 27, 2022, Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture were accredited according to the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention.

２． This accreditation is announced for cities fulfilling the international criteria for community engagement in the conservation, restoration and management of wetlands, as well as activities on raising public awareness, and the promotion of environmental education, etc. The two cities are the first to be accredited in Japan.

[Attached materials]

・Annex 1. Resolution XII.10 Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention (English)

・Annex 2. Outline of the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention (Japanese)

■　Outline

The purpose of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the "Ramsar Convention") is to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands primarily as habitat for waterbirds. As of May 2022, there are 172 Contracting Parties throughout the world. In Japan, there are 53 wetlands listed as Ramsar Sites, including 'Sakata' (Niigata City) and 'Izumi Wintering Habitat of Cranes' (Izumi City).

During the 59th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee held in Gland, Switzerland, from May 23 to 27, 2022, Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture were accredited based on the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention. This accreditation is announced for cities fulfilling the international criteria for community engagement in the conservation, restoration and management of wetlands, as well as activities on raising public awareness, and the promotion of environmental education, etc. The two cities are the first to be accredited in Japan.

MOE Japan, will continuously cooperate with relevant municipalities of Ramsar wetland sites to promote the conservation of wetlands, their flora and fauna.

■　Wetland City Accreditation scheme

(1) Outline of the scheme

The Wetland City Accreditation Scheme is a framework based on Resolution XII.10 adopted at the 12th Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP12) held in 2015. The scheme aims to provide positive branding opportunities for cities, and to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands in the regions.

The accredited cities are to be provided with accreditation certificates at the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP14) held in 2022 in China, and the information on the cities will be provided on the Ramsar website and through other means. The certificate is valid for six years.

(2) Cities accredited in the past

18 cities in 7 countries in the world

* 25 cities in 13 countries were accredited this time, including Niigata and Izumi Cities. The two cities are the first to be accredited in Japan.

* Accredited cities are those where the Ramsar Sites or Wetlands of International Importance are located or in close proximity thereto.

(3) Schedule

The 14th Conference of the Contracting Parties (to be held in late November 2022)

* An accreditation ceremony is scheduled to be held.

Reference information (Japanese)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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