Iran tapped for Ramsar leadership role in global wetland governance
Iran was elected as the representative for South and West Asia on the Ramsar Convention’s Standing Committee during the COP15 summit in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, according to the country’s Department of Environment.
The committee, the executive body of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, comprises 18 elected countries, along with international observers. It holds annual meetings in Switzerland to steer global wetland policy between triennial conferences, IRNA reported.
Iran’s new seat gives it a formal voice in shaping strategy, overseeing secretariat operations, and managing international funding streams such as the Wetlands for the Future Fund.
As one of Asia’s three voting members, Iran will be directly involved in drafting future resolutions and responding to wetland emergencies, such as droughts and biodiversity threats. The current committee is chaired by Zimbabwe, with the vice-chairmanship passing to the next COP host.
Iran was also unanimously elected vice-president of the 173-member Ramsar COP during this year’s summit, which runs from July 23 to 31. The appointment comes as the convention welcomes Saudi Arabia as its newest signatory.
The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, promotes the “wise use” of wetlands and now recognizes 25 Iranian sites. It also designates “wetland cities” committed to sustainable development. Three new Iranian cities—Babol, Kiashahr, and Gandoman—were officially certified at COP15, joining two earlier members, Bandar Khamir and Varzaneh.
Iran has hosted the Ramsar Regional Center for Central and West Asia since 2005, following a 2002 decision by convention members. The center helps coordinate regional wetland conservation initiatives and facilitates access to global environmental support.