Introducing The Partners for Wetlands programme:
building partnerships for wise use of wetlands

Partners for Wetlands is a mechanism to promote wise investment in freshwater wetlands world wide. Its goal is sustainable, productive use and conservation of wetlands throughout the world. It targets areas that are threatened by current investments but at the same time offer opportunities for lasting wise use.

Partners for Wetlands

• Finds workable solutions for more natural wetland systems that support the sustainable development of agriculture, fisheries, industry, water supply, tourism and recreation - to benefit people and nature.
• Forges coalitions with investment partners, drawing on their drive and financial muscle to adopt and spread ideas, solutions and best practice for wise use.
• Unlocks the technical and information resources required to build sustainable wetland economies for the 21st century.

People and wetlands
Wetlands occupy about 8.6 million square kilometres, or 6.4% of the world's land surface, but their value extends far beyond that. Wetlands were the cradles of the great civilisations of the ancient world and remain essential for the future well-being of both rural and urban communities. But these vital natural systems are disappearing quickly. Drainage, dams, industrial development, river control and irrigation projects all contribute to a loss of nature, eventually affecting people as well.

Rising costs
Through investments, wetlands are being transformed from unpredictable, dynamic ecosystems into predictable and static ones. Higher productivity is achieved through greater control.
      But maintenance costs are often high and vital wetland functions that were taken for granted are unintentionally sacrificed. More complex and costly measures are then needed to maintain safety, vital services and productivity. If certain thresholds are crossed, clean water supply, production or wildlife may be lost forever. Constraining natural flooding increases the risk of calamities if the engineered system fails. The long-term return on investment is invariably less than expected.

Joining forces
Instead of converting natural systems at great cost, we can maintain natural productivity and diversity of wetlands by matching the various uses to the properties of the wetland system. For this, the commitment of investors and those who make investment decisions (industry, government, donors, banks and international financial institutions) is required.
      Ecological know-how, technical expertise and economic strength can join forces to create a diverse economy with a choice of employment and way of life. One that supports a more natural, healthy ecosystem; one which is cost-efficient and secure - for people, businesses and wildlife.