Indo-Burma Wetland Alliance for Transboundary Action

IBRRI’s regional wetland vision

Indo-Burma Wetland Alliance for Transboundary Action: The Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) is a collaborative platform uniting Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam to conserve shared wetland ecosystems. The initiative strengthens cross-border collaboration to implement the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan, focusing on restoring degraded wetlands and halting biodiversity loss.

This regional effort is supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through its BRIDGE (Building River Dialogue and Governance) project. It emphasizes ecosystem-based solutions, integrated governance, and policy coordination among the participating countries.

Ramsar COP15 and new strategic roadmap

At the Ramsar COP15, IBRRI launched its Strategic Plan 2025–2030. The plan outlines a regional framework for countries to work together to reverse wetland degradation through coordinated policies and inclusive action. It also aligns with broader environmental goals such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The strategy promotes science-based decision-making, wetland-dependent livelihoods, and local participation, with a goal to secure the long-term resilience of key Ramsar and non-Ramsar wetlands in the region.

Strong governance for joint implementation

IBRRI follows a multi-tiered governance structure designed for transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity:

• Steering Committee: Comprised of Ramsar Administrative Authority members from all five nations.
• Secretariat: Operated by the IUCN Asia Regional Office in Bangkok, Thailand, facilitating coordination and capacity-building.
• Stakeholder Committee: Offers technical advice and broadens participation by engaging local communities, civil society, and academic institutions.

Static GK fact: The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar and currently has over 170 contracting parties.

Core focus areas of the initiative

The IBRRI Strategic Plan 2025–2030 concentrates on four key pillars:

• Protection of Ramsar Sites and other ecologically important wetlands.
• Community engagement, especially of indigenous groups and wetland-dependent populations.
• Policy harmonization across borders through evidence-driven frameworks.
• Climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction via wetland restoration and conservation.

Static GK Tip: Wetlands are among the world’s most productive ecosystems, providing vital services such as flood control, water purification, carbon storage, and biodiversity support.

Importance in the Indo-Burma region

The Indo-Burma region is a global biodiversity hotspot. Its wetlands support millions who rely on them for fishing, farming, and eco-tourism. IBRRI not only protects wildlife but also strengthens regional unity, improves climate resilience, and safeguards economic stability.

The initiative reinforces commitments to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Indo-Burma Wetland Alliance for Transboundary Action: