Novi Sad is the first city in the Balkans and in this part of Europe to receive the prestigious “Ramsar Wetland City” accreditation. At the 64th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ramsar Convention, held in Switzerland, Novi Sad was officially accredited—together with six other European cities (from France, Switzerland, Poland, and Belgium). In total, 31 cities worldwide were accredited as Wetland Cities this year.
By obtaining the “Wetland City” title, Novi Sad has earned global recognition as an outstanding example of balanced urban development that acknowledges the importance of wetlands for nature protection, climate-change adaptation, and improving quality of life. The city protects these areas and thereby sets an example of sustainable urban growth.
Novi Sad
In Harmony
with Wetlands.
City Spirit
Where the
Danube shapes healthy nature.
city, nature
A safe
home for
rare species.
in wetlands
Novi Sad Ramsar Wetland City
The Convention on Wetlands
The Convention on Wetlands brings together 173 countries that have committed to protecting and managing these ecosystems sustainably. The Convention also uses a broad definition of wetlands, encompassing a wide range of natural habitats, from lakes and rivers to marshes, peatlands, estuaries and deltas, as well as coral reefs and human-made ecosystems such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans.
Wetlands of Novi Sad.
With the accreditation of Novi Sad as a Wetland City, key natural habitats are included, among them the Koviljsko–Petrovaradinski Rit Special Nature Reserve and the Begečka Jama Nature Park, as well as other wetland areas stretching along the Danube.
Ramsar sites
Danube backwaters
Floodplain wetlands
Marsh ecosystems
What does Wetland City status mean?
Wetland City status is an international accreditation granted by the Ramsar Convention, intended for cities with significant wetland areas that actively work on their protection and sustainable management. Cities holding this status must have a Ramsar site or ecologically valuable wetlands in their surroundings, implement conservation and restoration measures, incorporate wetlands into spatial and urban planning, and promote their ecological value through education and activities for the local community.
The status also implies the existence of a functional local body for coordinating protection and cooperation with scientific institutions and organizations. The goal of the accreditation is to recognize cities as examples of good practice in wetland conservation and sustainable development. The accreditation lasts six years, after which the city must again demonstrate that it meets the Ramsar Convention’s criteria. Wetland City status confirms that a city recognizes wetlands as key ecosystems for biodiversity, flood regulation, water quality, and residents’ quality of life.
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