Wetlands International

Abstract

Wetlands International is the only global nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated fully to the wise use of wetlands. It was established in 1995 through bringing together three regional NGOs: International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB), the Asian Wetland Bureau (AWB), and Wetlands for the Americas (WA). Wetlands International is neither a nature conservation organization nor a development one. Instead, Wetlands International connects conservation and development goals. This is because for wetlands, nature and people’s well-being are so interdependent. Wetlands International’s dual focus is on people and nature, and its broad array of partners and members, both governments and NGOs puts it in a favorable position to bring many different sectors together to tackle the pressing challenges of our time – food and water security, climate change, and biodiversity loss.