CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY AS WATERFOWL HABITAT (RAMSAR) 2 Feb 1971 The Contracting Parties, Recognizing the inter

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1. d)to make general or specific recommendations to the Contracting Parties regarding the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands and their flora and fauna;
2. e)to request relevant international bodies to prepare reports and statistics on matters which are essentially international in character affecting wetlands. 3. 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. Article 7 1. 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. 2. Each of the Contracting Parties represented at a Conference shall have one vote, recommendations being adopted by a simple majority of the votes cast, provided that not less than half the Contracting Parties cast votes. Article 8 1. The International Union for the 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. 2. The continuing bureau duties shall be, inter alia:
3. a)to assist in the convening and organizing of Conferences specified in Article 6;
4. b)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;
5. c)to be informed by the Contracting Parties of any changes in the ecological character of wetlands included in the List provided

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1. d)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;
2. e)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. Article 9 1. This Convention shall remain open for signature indefinitely. 2. 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:
3. a)signature without reservation as to ratification;
4. b)signature subject to ratification followed by ratification;
5. c)accession. 3. 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 Depository"). Article 10 1. This Convention shall enter into force four months after seven States have become Parties to this Convention

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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. Article 11 1. This Convention shall continue in force for an indefinite period. 2. 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 Depository. Denunciation shall take effect four months after the day on which notice thereof is received by the Depository. Article 12 1. The Depository shall inform all States that have signed and acceded to this Convention as soon as possible of:I

1. a)signatures to the Convention;
2. b)deposits of instruments of ratification of this Convention;
3. c)deposits of instruments of accession to this Convention;
4. d)the date of entry into force of this Convention;
5. e)notifications of denunciation of this Convention. 2. When this Convention has entered into force, the Depository shall have it registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter. In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized to that effect, have signed this Convention. DONE at Ramsar this 2nd day of February 1971, in a single original in the English, French, German and Russian languages, in any case of divergency the English text prevailing, which shall be deposited with the Depository which shall send true copies thereof to all Contracting Parties.