ABSTRACT
The Convention’s mission is the conservation and wise use of wetlands by national action and international co-operation as a means to achieving sustainable development throughout the world. The Wetland Conservation Fund, later renamed the Ramsar Convention’s Small Grants Fund, was launched by the Convention in 1990 to assist developing countries by offering financial benefits as well as expert services in the implementation of the Convention. Parties shall designate at least one national wetland for inclusion in a List of Wetlands of International Importance; and establish wetland nature reserves, cooperate in the exchange of information, and train personnel for wetlands management. A Ramsar database has been elaborated with an agreed classification and data system for all wetland sites. Disputes are resolved by discussions at the Conference of the Contracting Parties, followed by Conference recommendations. The Conference of the Contracting Parties is the governing body and meets every three years.
