20 May 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Secretariat) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for 2011-2017 with its five International Organization Partners (IOPs).

The MoC was signed during the 42nd session of the Standing Committee meeting, which took place in Gland, Switzerland, from 16-20 May 2011, with representatives from the five IOPs, namely: WWF International; Wetlands International; International Water Management Institute (IWMI); International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and BirdLife International.

The MoC “sealed the IOPs’ renewed commitment to keep working with Parties to achieve the Ramsar mission.” It aims to bring focus to the partnerships and maximize the synergies between IOPs and with the Secretariat, to be even more effective in wetlands conservation.

The IOPs issued a joint statement underscoring that wetlands are increasingly at the “front-line” of the key development and security challenges, including growing world population, increasing demands for food, water and energy, and climate change. The Statement further notes that the MoC responds to the need to address these challenges, and signals a strong intent to plan and implement joint actions that advance international and national Ramsar commitments. [Ramsar Press Release] [IOP Statement]