Peatlands (wetlands on peat soils) are estimated to form over 50% of the world’s inland wetlands, and it is therefore appropriate that their conservation and wise use should be afforded particular attention in the implementation of the Ramsar Convention. Yet their importance seems, with notable exceptions, to have been poorly recognized in many countries, and peat-based wetlands have been noted by Ramsar’s Parties as an under-represented wetland type in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, with additional guidance for  their designation as Ramsar sites adopted by COP8 (Resolution VIII.11).

As indicated in Operational Objective 10 of Ramsar’s Strategic Plan 2003-2008, the implementation of these Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (GAP) will represent an important demonstration of the ecosystem-based approach under the Ramsar Convention, covering mechanisms for the delivery of all three pillars of the Convention (Strategic Plan General Objectives 1-3).

Since peat-based wetlands occur in a number of different biomes, implementation of these Guidelines will form a contribution to the delivery of several of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) thematic ecosystem programmes of work, notably on inland waters, forests, mountains, and agricultural biodiversity, through the Conventions’ Third Joint Work Plan 2002-2006.

The Guidelines have been developed by the STRP Expert Working Group on Peatlands from a draft "Global Action Plan for Peatlands" first considered by the Parties at Ramsar COP7 (1999). A key next step is the preparation of an implementation plan for global action on peatlands, to address priority actions for Parties.