Wetlands are the source of water for the majority of the world's people, for instance for drink water supply, sanitation, agriculture and food. Wetlands are also key areas for absorbing  extreme water flows after heavy rainfall and melting ice water, and for providing water in periods of droughts.

However, this role is not very well recognised; most development plans and water management schemes do not include wetlands. As a result wetlands are becoming highly degraded and polluted, further contributing to poverty. Wetlands International works globally with communities, governments, river basin organisations, regional economic organisations, NGO's and the water-related private sector to manage and restore wetlands for water and livelihoods.

Millennium Development Goals

To meet the Millennium Development Goals and targets, specifically the ones on combating hunger and providing access to drinking water and sanitation, we must start working on better management of wetlands. Wetlands should therefore not be seen as a luxury for the sake of nature, or as just one of the many important ecosystems. Wetland conservation and management is a necessary component of progress rather than a luxury that only wealthy nations can afford.

Need for change

Unfortunately, inland and coastal wetlands are being lost faster than any other ecosystem and the demand on these services is intensifying worldwide. Wetlands International predicts increasing poverty due to decreasing availability and access to wetland resources unless development policies need to drastically change. The conservation and development sector need to engage and create win-win situations for people and nature through sustainable wetland management.