背景
濕地與森林、海洋並稱全球三大生態系統，也是價值最高的生態系統。根據《濕地公約》的定義，濕地包括沼澤、泥炭地、濕草甸、湖泊、河流、滯蓄洪區、河口三角洲、灘涂、水庫、池塘、水稻田以及低潮時水深淺於6米的海域地帶等。
濕地具有涵養水源、淨化水質、調蓄洪水、控制土壤侵蝕、補充地下水、美化環境、調節氣候、維持碳循環和保護海岸等極為重要的生態功能，是生物多樣性的重要發源地之一，因此也被譽為“地球之腎”、“天然水庫”和“天然物種庫”。 據聯合國環境署2002年的權威研究數據顯示，1公頃濕地生態系統每年創造的價值高達1.4萬美元，是熱帶雨林的7倍，是農田生態系統的160倍。濕地還是許多珍稀野生動植物賴以生存的基礎，對維護生態平衡、保護生物多樣性具有特殊的意義。
多年來，全球濕地伴隨著全球化進程的加快而不斷遭到破壞。因此，保護濕地成為一個世界性的問題。
1971年2月2日，來自18個國家的代表在伊朗南部海濱小城拉姆薩爾簽署了一個旨在保護和合理利用全球濕地的公約——《關於特別是作為水禽棲息地的國際重要濕地公約》（Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat ，簡稱《濕地公約》）。該公約於1975年12月21日正式生效，目前，有158個締約方。
《濕地公約》的宗旨是通過各成員國之間的合作加強對世界濕地資源的保護及合理利用，以實現生態系統的持續發展。目前，《濕地公約》已成為國際重要的自然保護公約之一，1828塊在生態學、植物學、動物學、湖沼學或水文學方面具有獨特意義的濕地被列入國際重要濕地名錄，總面積約1.69億公頃。
全文
關於特別是作為水禽棲息地的國際重要濕地公約（簡稱《濕地公約》)
(拉姆薩爾，1971午2月2日，經1982午12月3日的議定書修訂)
各締約國，
確認人與其環境相互依存；
考慮到濕地的基本生態功能是作為水文狀況的調節者，是某種獨特植物區系和動物區系，特別是水禽賴以存活的生境；
深信濕地是具有重大經濟、文化、科學和娛樂價值的一種資源，一旦喪失則不可彌補；
希望制止目前和今後對濕地的蠶食，乃至喪失；
確認水禽在季節性遷徙時可能會超越國界，因此，應視為一種國際資源；
確信具有遠見的國家政策與協調一致的國際行動相結合，可以確保濕地及其動植物區系得到保護；
茲議定條款如下：
第一條
1．為本公約之目的，濕地是指，不問其為天然或人工、長久或暫時的沼澤地、泥炭地或水域地帶，帶有靜止或流動的淡水、半鹹水或鹹水水體，包括低潮時水深不超過6米的水域。
2．為本公約之目的，水禽系指從生態學角度看以濕地為生存條件的鳥類。
第二條
1．每個締約國應指定其領土內適當濕地列入由依第八條所設管理局保管的《國際重要濕地名錄》(下稱《名錄》)，該《名錄》由根據第八條設立的辦事處保管。每塊濕地的邊界應在地圖上精確標明和劃定，可包括與濕地毗鄰的河岸和海岸地區，以及位於濕地內的島嶼或低潮時水深超過6米的海洋水體，特別是具有水禽生境意義的地區島嶼或水體。
2．選擇列入《名錄》的濕地，應根據它們在生態學、植物學、動物學、湖沼學或水文學方面的國際意義來考慮。首先應列入一年四季均對水禽具有國際意義的濕地。
3．將濕地列入《名錄》，並不損害其所屬締約國的專有主權。
4．每個締約國在按照第九條規定簽署本公約或交存其批准書或加入書時，應至少指定一塊濕地列入《名錄》。
5．任何締約國均有權將其領土內的其他濕地增列入《名錄》，擴大已列入《名錄》的濕地的邊界，或者出於緊急的國家利益的考慮，取消列入《名錄》的濕地或縮小其邊界，並應儘快將這類變動，通知負責第八條規定的常務辦事處的組織或政府。
6．每個締約國在指定列入《名錄》的濕地和就列入《名錄》的其領土內的濕地行使修改條文的權利時，應考慮其對保護、管理和合理使用遷徙水禽所負的國際責任。
第三條
1．各締約國應制訂和執行規劃，以促進對列入《名錄》的濕地的保護，並儘可能地合理使用其領土內的濕地。
2．每個締約國應作出安排，以便儘早獲悉，由於技術發展、污染或其他人為干擾，列入《名錄》的其領土內的濕地的生態特性經發生變化，正在變化，或有可能發生變化。有關這類變化的情況應立即通知負責第八條規定的常務辦事處的組織或政府。
第四條
1．每個締約國應在濕地(不論是否已列入《名錄》)建立自然保護區，以促進對濕地和水禽的保護，並採取充分措施予以看管。
2．當某一締約國出於緊急的國家利益的考慮而取消列入《名錄》的濕地或縮小其邊界時，應儘可能彌補濕地資源的任何損失，特別應建立新的自然保護區，以供水禽生存，並在同一地區或其他地區保護原來生境的適當部分。
3．各締約國應鼓勵就濕地及其動植物區系開展研究，交換資料和出版物。
4．各締約國應努力通過管理增加合適的濕地上的水禽數目。
5．各締約國應加強培訓能勝任濕地研究、管理和看管的人員。
第五條
締約國應就履行《公約》規定的義務，特別是在濕地擴及一個以上締約國的領土或一條水係為數締約國所共有的情況下，相互協商。同時，各締約國應努力協調和支持目前和將來就保護濕地及其動植物所制訂的政策和條例。
第六條
1．設立締約國會議，以檢查和促進這項公約的實施。第八條第1段所提及的常務辦事處至少每3年召開一次締約國會議之例會，除非會議另有決定。在至少有2/3的締約國提出書面要求的情況下，也可以召開特別會議。締約國會議的每次例會均應確定舉行下一次例會的時間及地點。
2．締約國會議具有下列職權：
(a)討論本公約的執行情況；
(b)討論《名錄》的增補和修改；
(c)審議根據第三條第2段提供的關於《名錄》中所列濕地生態特性變化的資料；
(d)就保護、管理和合理使用濕地及其動植物問題，向締約國提出一般性建議或具體建議；
(e)要求有關國際機構就涉及濕地的國際問題提出報告和提供統計資料；
(f)通過其他建議或決議，來促進本公約的執行。
3．各締約國應保證從事濕地管理的各級負責人了解並考慮此類會議關於保護、管理和合理使用濕地及其動植物的建議。
4．締約國會議為每次會議制定議事規則。
5．締約國會議應制定本公約的財務條例，並定期對條例進行審議。締約國會議應在其每次例會上以出席會議並參加表決之締約國的2/3多數通過下一財務期的預算。
6．各締約國應根據出席締約國會議例會並參加表決之所有締約國一致通過的會費額度向預算納款。
第七條
1．參加上述會議的各締約國代表應包括在科學、行政或其他有關方面知識淵博、經驗豐富的濕地或水禽專家。
2．出席會議的每一締約國有一票表決權；建議、決議和決定由出席會議及參加投票的締約國的簡單多數通過，除非本公約另作其他規定。
第八條
1．國際自然及自然資源保護聯盟執行本公約規定的常務辦事處職責，直至全體締約國的2/3多數指定另一個組織或政府時止。
2．常務辦事處職責如下：
(a)協助召集和組織第六條規定的會議；
(b)保管《具有國際意義的濕地名錄》，並接收各締約國根據第二條第5段就列入《名錄》的濕地的增補、擴大、取消或縮小所提供的資料；
(c)接收各締約國根據第三條第2段就列人《名錄》的濕地的生態特性變化所提供的資料；
(d)把對《名錄》的任何修改或《名錄》中所列濕地的特性變化通知所有締約國，並為在下屆會議上討論這些事項作出安排；
(e)把會議就《名錄》修改或《名錄》中所列濕地的特性變化提出的建議通知有關締約國。
第九條
1．本公約無限期開放簽字。
2．聯合國任何會員國、任何專門機構或國際原子能機構的會員國或國際法院規約任何當事國得依下列方式之一成為本公約締約國；
(a)對於批准不附保留之簽署；
(b)待批准之簽署，繼後批准；
(c)加入。
3．向聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事(下稱“保存人”)交存一份批准書或加入書；批准或加入即為生效。
第十條
1．本公約在7個國家按第九條第2段方式成為本公約締約國起4個月後生效。
2．本公約嗣後對每個締約國應自該國對於批准不附保留之簽署或交存批准書或加入書之日起4個月後生效。
第十條 副
1．根據本條，締約國可就《公約》修訂問題召集會議，對《公約》進行修訂。
2．任何締約國均可提出修訂建議。
3．所建議的任何修正案的文本及修訂理由須通過根據《公約》行使常設主席團(下稱“主席團”)職責的組織或政府，並由主席團隨即轉告所有締約國。締約國對文本的任何意見要在自主席團把修正案通知締約國之日起3個月內通知主席團。主席團須於意見提交的最後一天之後立即把截至該日所收到的全部意見轉告各締約國。
4．主席團將根據1/3締約國的書面要求召集締約國會議，審議根據第3段提出的修正案。主席團將就會議的時間與地點同各締約國進行協商。
5．修正案須經與會締約國投票表決以2/3的多數通過。
6．被通過的修正案將於2/3締約國向保管者交存接受卡之日後第4個月的第一天起對接受修正案的締約國生效。對在2/3締約國交存接受書之日後交存接受書的任何締約國，修正案將於該國交存接受書之日後第4個月第一天開始生效。
第十一條
1．本公約將無限期有效。
2．任何締約國可在本公約對該國生效之日起5年後書面通知保存人退出本公約。退約應於保存人接得通知之日起4個月後生效。
第十二條
1．保存人應儘快將下述事項通知所有業已簽署或加入本公約的國家：
(a)《公約》之簽署；
(b)本公約批准書之交存；
(c)本公約加入書之交存；
(d)本公約生效日期；
(e)退約通知。
2．本公約生效之後，保存人應根據《聯合國憲章》第102條在聯合國秘書處予以登記。
下列簽署人經正式授權簽署本公約，以昭信守。
1971年2月2日訂於拉姆薩爾，原奉以英文本、法文本、德文本和俄文本各式一份。所有文本具有同等效力。文本均交保存人，保存人則將正式副本分送所有締約國。
英文全文
Article 1
For the purpose of this Convention wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres.
For the purpose of this Convention waterfowl are birds ecologically dependent on wetlands.
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Article 2
Each Contracting Party shall designate suitable wetlands within its territory for inclusion in a List of Wetlands of International Importance, hereinafter referred to as "the List" which is maintained by the bureau established under Article 8. The boundaries of each wetland shall be precisely described and also delimited on a map and they may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands, especially where these have importance as waterfowl habitat.
Wetlands should be selected for the List on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. In the first instance wetlands of international importance to waterfowl at any season should be included.
The inclusion of a wetland in the List does not prejudice the exclusive sovereign rights of the Contracting Party in whose territory the wetland is situated.
Each Contracting Party shall designate at least one wetland to be included in the List when signing this Convention or when depositing its instrument of ratification or accession, as provided in Article 9.
Any Contracting Party shall have the right to add to the List further wetlands situated within its territory, to extend the boundaries of those wetlands already included by it in the List, or, because of its urgent national interests, to delete or restrict the boundaries of wetlands already included by it in the List and shall, at the earliest possible time, inform the organization or government responsible for the continuing bureau duties specified in Article 8 of any such changes.
Each Contracting Party shall consider its international responsibilities for the conservation, management and wise use of migratory stocks of waterfowl, both when designating entries for the List and when exercising its right to change entries in the List relating to wetlands within its territory.
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Article 3
The Contracting Parties shall formulate and implement their planning so as to promote the conservation of the wetlands included in the List, and as far as possible the wise use of wetlands in their territory.
Each Contracting Party shall arrange to be informed at the earliest possible time if the ecological character of any wetland in its territory and included in the List has changed, is changing or is likely to change as the result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. Information on such changes shall be passed without delay to the organization or government responsible for the continuing bureau duties specified in Article 8.
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Article 4
Each Contracting Party shall promote the conservation of wetlands and waterfowl by establishing nature reserves on wetlands, whether they are included in the List or not, and provide adequately for their wardening.
Where a Contracting Party in its urgent national interest, deletes or restricts the boundaries of a wetland included in the List, it should as far as possible compensate for any loss of wetland resources, and in particular it should create additional nature reserves for waterfowl and for the protection, either in the same area or elsewhere, of an adequate portion of the original habitat.
The Contracting Parties shall encourage research and the exchange of data and publications regarding wetlands and their flora and fauna.
The Contracting Parties shall endeavour through management to increase waterfowl populations on appropriate wetlands.
The Contracting Parties shall promote the training of personnel competent in the fields of wetland research, management and wardening.
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Article 5
The Contracting Parties shall consult with each other about implementing obligations arising from the Convention especially in the case of a wetland extending over the territories of more than one Contracting Party or where a water system is shared by Contracting Parties. They shall at the same time endeavour to coordinate and support present and future policies and regulations concerning the conservation of wetlands and their flora and fauna.
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Article 6
There shall be established a Conference of the Contracting Parties to review and promote the implementation of this Convention. The Bureau referred to in Article 8, paragraph 1, shall convene ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties at intervals of not more than three years, unless the Conference decides otherwise, and extraordinary meetings at the written requests of at least one third of the Contracting Parties. Each ordinary meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties shall determine the time and venue of the next ordinary meeting.
The Conference of the Contracting Parties shall be competent:
to discuss the implementation of this Convention;
to discuss additions to and changes in the List;
to consider information regarding changes in the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 3;
to make general or specific recommendations to the Contracting Parties regarding the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and fauna;
to request relevant international bodies to prepare reports and statistics on matters which are essentially international in character affecting wetlands;
to adopt other recommendations, or resolutions, to promote the functioning of this Convention.
The Contracting Parties shall ensure that those responsible at all levels for wetlands management shall be informed of, and take into consideration, recommendations of such Conferences concerning the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and fauna.
The Conference of the Contracting Parties shall adopt rules of procedure for each of its meetings.
The Conference of the Contracting Parties shall establish and keep under review the financial regulations of this Convention. At each of its ordinary meetings, it shall adopt the budget for the next financial period by a two-third majority of Contracting Parties present and voting.
Each Contracting Party shall contribute to the budget according to a scale of contributions adopted by unanimity of the Contracting Parties present and voting at a meeting of the ordinary Conference of the Contracting Parties.
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Article 7
The representatives of the Contracting Parties at such Conferences should include persons who are experts on wetlands or waterfowl by reason of knowledge and experience gained in scientific, administrative or other appropriate capacities.
Each of the Contracting Parties represented at a Conference shall have one vote, recommendations, resolutions and decisions being adopted by a simple majority of the Contracting Parties present and voting, unless otherwise provided for in this Convention.
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Article 8
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources shall perform the continuing bureau duties under this Convention until such time as another organization or government is appointed by a majority of two-thirds of all Contracting Parties.
The continuing bureau duties shall be, inter alia:
to assist in the convening and organizing of Conferences specified in Article 6;
to maintain the List of Wetlands of International Importance and to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any additions, extensions, deletions or restrictions concerning wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 2;
to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any changes in the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 3;
to forward notification of any alterations to the List, or changes in character of wetlands included therein, to all Contracting Parties and to arrange for these matters to be discussed at the next Conference;
to make known to the Contracting Party concerned, the recommendations of the Conferences in respect of such alterations to the List or of changes in the character of wetlands included therein.
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Article 9
This Convention shall remain open for signature indefinitely.
Any member of the United Nations or of one of the Specialized Agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agency or Party to the statute of the International Court of Justice may become a Party to this Convention by:
signature without reservation as to ratification;
signature subject to ratification followed by ratification;
accession.
Ratification or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of ratification or accession with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (hereinafter referred to as "the Depositary").
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Article 10
This Convention shall enter into force four months after seven States have become Parties to this Convention in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 9.
thereafter this Convention shall enter into force for each Contracting Party four months after the day of its signature without reservation as to ratification, or its deposit of an instrument of ratification or accession.
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Article 10 bis
This Convention may be amended at a meeting of the Contracting Parties convened for that purpose in accordance with this article.
Proposals for amendment may be made by any Contracting Party.
The text of any proposed amendment and the reasons for it shall be communicated to the organization or government performing the continuing bureau duties under the Convention (hereinafter referred to as "the Bureau") and shall promptly be communicated by the Bureau to all Contracting Parties. Any comments on the text by the Contracting Parties shall be communicated to the Bureau within three months of the date on which the amendments were communicated to the Contracting Parties by the Bureau. The Bureau shall, immediately after the last day for submission of comments, communicate to the Contracting Parties all comments submitted by that day.
A meeting of Contracting Parties to consider an amendment communicated in accordance with paragraph 3 shall be convened by the Bureau upon the written request of one third of the Contracting Parties. The Bureau shall consult the Parties concerning the time and venue of the meeting.
Amendments shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the Contracting Parties present and voting.
An amendment adopted shall enter into force for the Contracting Parties which have accepted it on the first day of the fourth month following the date on which two thirds of the Contracting Parties have deposited an instrument of acceptance with the Depositary. For each Contracting Party which deposits an instrument of acceptance after the date on which two thirds of the Contracting Parties have deposited an instrument of acceptance, the amendment shall enter into force on the first day of the fourth month following the date of the deposit of its instrument of acceptance.
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Article 11
This Convention shall continue in force for an indefinite period.
Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention after a period of five years from the date on which it entered into force for that party by giving written notice thereof to the Depositary. denunciation shall take effect four months after the day on which notice thereof is received by the Depositary.
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Article 12
1. The Depositary shall inform all States that have signed and acceded to this Convention as soon as possible of:
a.signatures to the Convention;
b.deposits of instruments of ratification of this Convention;
c.deposits of instruments of accession to this Convention;
d.the date of entry into force of this Convention;
e.notifications of denunciation of this Convention.
2. When this Convention has entered into force, the Depositary shall have it registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter.
近年的主要活動
濕地公約新會標1998年：公約常委會通過新的《濕地公約》標誌(Ramsar 拉姆薩爾文字配以由藍變綠的背景，兩條白線代表波浪)。該標誌顯示公約內涵的擴展，從單純的水鳥栖息地到以水為主體的變化。
1999年5月在哥斯大黎加召開的第7屆締約方大會上，決定編纂一套工具書，正式確認國際鳥類組織、世界保護聯盟、濕地國際和世界自然基金會為公約的夥伴組織。
第10屆濕地公約締約方大會於2008年10月8日至11月4日在韓國釜山召開。
中國濕地保護狀況
中國自1992年加入《濕地公約》後，採取了一系列重要措施保護濕地，並於當年通過申請將首批7個濕地保護區（黑龍江省扎龍、吉林省向海、江西省鄱陽湖、湖南省東洞庭湖、海南省東寨港和青海省鳥島等）列入《國際重要濕地名錄》。國家林業局還專門成立了《濕地公約》履約辦公室，通過廣泛的國內外合作提高中國濕地保護的履約能力。到2006年底，我國已經建立了各種級別的濕地保護區473個，已有45%的天然濕地納入保護區範圍得到了較好保護。截至2008年，中國共有36塊濕地加入《國際重要濕地名錄》，（可參看“中國國際重要濕地名錄”）達賚湖等4個濕地類型保護區還加入了國際人與生物圈網路。2007年9月，國務院批准成立中國履行《濕地公約》國家委員會，協調和指導國內相關部門開展履行《濕地公約》相關工作。
全球濕地面積達5.73億公頃。中國首次濕地資源調查顯示，我國現有濕地面積約3848萬公頃，居亞洲第一位，世界第四位。據全國濕地資源調查統計，我國現有100公頃以上的各類濕地3848.55萬公頃（不包括水稻田），現存自然或半自然濕地占國土總面積的3.77%（2005年）。
