World Wetlands Day (WWD) is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Iran on 2 February 1971 (the Ramsar Convention). First celebrated in 1997, government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups have celebrated WWD by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits, as well as promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

The WWD theme for 2018 is Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future. Wetlands make cities habitable. They help to reduce flooding, replenish drinking water, filter waste, provide urban green spaces, and are a source of livelihoods. Wetlands need to be integrated into sustainable planning and development at both urban and rural levels.

CNVP is a leading international civil society organisation that is active in all six Balkan countries. It uses evidence-based analysis to improve the sustainable livelihoods of rural and urban communities affected by the ongoing process of environmental and climate change. It seeks to build a greener economic environment, control the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, improve waste management, reduce flooding, overcome trans-boundary water pollution in river and coastal areas, and manage better the precious wetland areas.

CNVP has registered a workshop event in Shkoder, Albania to mark WWD 2018. This important water node in the Balkans collects water from Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and northern Albania that passes through to the Adriatic Sea. This Ramsar site has a wide range of protected inland and coastal areas. Recent floods have caused economic and environmental damage through flooding. The workshop, supported by an excursion around Shkoder Lake, will allow local stakeholders to reflect on the benefits of wetlands’ protection, and its link with sustainable development.

CNVP is looking to identify CSOs that are active in the Balkans, the European Neighbourhood Space, the Caucasus and Turkey with which it can cooperate to build a greener economic environment, including the improved, sustainable management of wetland areas.

Finally, the following link gives a video developed by MedWet that conveys the importance of wetland areas: https://vimeo.com/129448891