Press Release
February 03, 2025
- Nature & Parks
Nagoya City Awarded for the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention
２．This scheme is to accredit 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. Nagoya City is the third to be accredited in Japan, following Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture.
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 January 2025, there are 172 Contracting Parties throughout the world. In Japan, there are 53 wetlands listed as Ramsar Sites, including ‘Fujimae-higata’ (Nagoya City).
During the 64th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee held in Gland, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24, 2025, Nagoya City of Aichi Prefecture was accredited under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention. This scheme is to accredit 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. Nagoya City is the third to be accredited in Japan following Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture.
MOE Japan will continue to cooperate with municipalities related to Ramsar Sites to promote the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna.
During the 64th Meeting of the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee held in Gland, Switzerland, from January 20 to 24, 2025, Nagoya City of Aichi Prefecture was accredited under the Wetland City Accreditation Scheme of the Ramsar Convention. This scheme is to accredit 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. Nagoya City is the third to be accredited in Japan following Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture.
MOE Japan will continue to cooperate with municipalities related to Ramsar Sites to promote the conservation of wetlands and 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 newly accredited Wetland Cities are to be provided with accreditation certificates at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to be held in July 2025 in the Republic of Zimbabwe, and the information will be available on the Ramsar website. The certificate is valid for six years. https://www.ramsar.org/our-work/activities/wetland-city-accreditation
(2) Cities accredited in the past 43 cities in 17 countries in the world * 31 cities in 16 countries were accredited this time, including Nagoya City. Nagoya City is the third city being accredited in Japan, following Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture. * Accredited cities are those where the Ramsar Sites, or Wetlands of International Importance, are located or in close proximity thereto.
(3) Future schedule The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) will take place from July 23 to 31, 2025 in Victoria Falls, (Zimbabwe). * An accreditation ceremony is scheduled to be held.
(2) Cities accredited in the past 43 cities in 17 countries in the world * 31 cities in 16 countries were accredited this time, including Nagoya City. Nagoya City is the third city being accredited in Japan, following Niigata City of Niigata Prefecture and Izumi City of Kagoshima Prefecture. * Accredited cities are those where the Ramsar Sites, or Wetlands of International Importance, are located or in close proximity thereto.
(3) Future schedule The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) will take place from July 23 to 31, 2025 in Victoria Falls, (Zimbabwe). * An accreditation ceremony is scheduled to be held.
[Reference information]
Various information on the Ramsar Convention is available on the website of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (Japanese only)
https://www.env.go.jp/nature/ramsar/conv/
Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention (Press Release, in Japanese)
https://www.env.go.jp/press/107307.html
Submission of the Application Documents for the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention (Press Release, in Japanese)
https://www.env.go.jp/press/press_02812.html
‘Fujimae-higata’ in Nagoya City, the Ramsar Site
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000104021.pdf
Various information on the Ramsar Convention is available on the website of the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (Japanese only)
https://www.env.go.jp/nature/ramsar/conv/
Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention (Press Release, in Japanese)
https://www.env.go.jp/press/107307.html
Submission of the Application Documents for the Wetland City Accreditation of the Ramsar Convention (Press Release, in Japanese)
https://www.env.go.jp/press/press_02812.html
‘Fujimae-higata’ in Nagoya City, the Ramsar Site
https://www.env.go.jp/content/000104021.pdf
