The value and importance of wetlands
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that increase biodiversity, contribute to mitigating and adapting to climate change, maintain the availability of freshwater, provide raw materials for the economy ; sustain life, and ensure the prosperity and survival of humanity on Earth.
Although wetlands account for only 0.75% of the world's freshwater, they directly supply water for human activities. They ensure the world's water supply by capturing and storing rainwater, replenishing groundwater aquifers, regulating water levels, keeping upstream watersheds clean, providing safe drinking water naturally, and protecting cities and villages from destruction by storms.
Wetlands play a crucial role for both humans and nature because they can filter harmful substances; store carbon to combat the impacts of climate change; mitigate negative impacts during extreme weather; store rainwater and runoff during storms to reduce flooding and support water supply during droughts; ensure biodiversity, providing habitats for over 100,000 species; and ensure food supply and create livelihoods for people. Currently, wetlands provide rice for 3.5 billion people worldwide; more than 1 billion people currently live and depend on wetlands; and up to 40% of all species live in or depend on wetlands.
When humans destroy wetlands, it means destroying their own lives. Yet, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests and are the most threatened ecosystem on Earth. In just 50 years, since 1970, 35% of the world's wetlands have been lost.
To protect wetlands, the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) was established in 1971. This is an international treaty with the mission of "conserving and wisely using wetlands through local, regional, national and international cooperation actions to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals worldwide," with the participation of 172 member states.
Vietnam was the first Southeast Asian country to become a member of the Ramsar Convention in 1989. Over the years, Vietnam has enacted numerous policies and legal documents on wetland management to internalize the Convention's provisions, while simultaneously implementing various conservation and wise use activities for wetlands nationwide. Recently, on November 24, 2021, the Prime Minister approved Decision No. 1975/QD-TTg promulgating the National Action Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands for the period 2021-2030. The plan aims to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystem services in wetlands, contributing to sustainable socio-economic development, climate change adaptation, environmental protection, nature conservation, biodiversity preservation, and fulfilling the obligations of a Ramsar Convention member state.
Lang Sen Wetland Reserve (Long An).
According to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, World Wetlands Day 2022 is a particularly significant milestone, as on August 30, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating February 2nd of each year as World Wetlands Day, initiating a larger global vision for wetlands.
The Ramsar Convention Secretariat invited all 193 United Nations member states to participate in and celebrate World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2022, with the theme “Wetlands Action for People and Nature: Value, Manage, Restore, and Love – Wetlands,” calling for increased efforts and investment in the conservation, management, and restoration of wetlands, as an effective solution to prevent climate and biodiversity crises.
Action to protect and restore wetlands
In response to the proposal of the Ramsar Convention Secretariat and the call of the United Nations General Assembly to mobilize the participation of the whole society in the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, on January 10, 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requested relevant units to direct the organization of propaganda and dissemination about the value and importance of wetlands to human life and nature, and to call on all citizens to commit to protecting and sustainably using wetlands, strengthening wetland management and restoration, and engaging in activities that demonstrate love for wetlands.
Conduct appropriate communication activities, organize celebrations, competitions, exhibitions, or launch movements related to the theme of World Wetlands Day 2022, in accordance with the current context and the COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control efforts.
Integrate content on protecting wetland values, managing, restoring, and sustainably utilizing wetlands into the development programs, plans, and projects of ministries, sectors, and localities.
Promote investment in the conservation, management, and restoration of wetlands to prevent climate and biodiversity crises.
Documents on the theme of World Wetlands Day 2022, and local activities commemorating World Wetlands Day 2022, are registered and posted on the Ramsar Convention website: https://www.worldwetlandsday.org.
Following the completion of activities to commemorate World Wetlands Day 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment requests that units submit information on the results of their activities to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for compilation and reporting to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat.
Source: https://soxaydung.caobang.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/huong-ung-ngay-dat-ngap-nuoc-the-gioi-nam-2022-863188
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