●Establishment

  The Kushiro region, as the host site of the 5th Ramsar Conference held in June 1993, has a mission to promote international cooperation for wetland conservation through community-based activities. 
  The Kushiro International Wetland Centre (KIWC) was established in 1995 as the base for such activities.

●Objectives

  In the Kushiro region, three wetlands have been designated under the Ramsar Convention's List of Wetlands of International Importance.
  KIWC aims to make an international contribution through the development of international programs which promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
  This will be achieved through exploration of the region’s abundant natural heritage; by utilizing the well-equipped and well-appointed facilities available within the region; and through the cooperative effort of relevant people and organizations.

●Principal Activities

○To organize training programs and study tours about the conservation of wetland ecosystems
○To hold conferences and workshops related to the conservation of wetlands and the protection of 
   biodiversity
○To conduct monitoring research on wetland ecosystems and to establish a database of results
○To develop technical skills for the management of wetlands and to provide 
   technical advice to those requesting it
○To promote and raise public awareness of the conservation and wise use 
   of wetlands and to publish related literature
○To investigate and plan environmentally sound tourism (ecotourism) in 
   wetlands, and to make this information readily accessible
○To promote international cooperation in relation to wetland conservation, 
   and to assist in the activities of other organizations

●Organizational Structure

●Affiliated Organizations

[Local governments]
Kushiro City / Kushiro Town / Shibecha Town / Tsurui Village / Akkeshi Town / Hamanaka Town
[Relevant administrative bodies]
East Hokkaido Regional Office for Nature Conservation, Ministry of the Environment / Kushiro Subprefectural Office, Hokkaido Prefectural Government
[Educational organizations]
Municipal Boards of Education / Hokkaido University of Education Kushiro Campus / Kushiro Public University of Economics
[Relevant organizations]
Wetlands International – Japan / Japan Wildlife Research Center / Nature Conservation Society of Kushiro / Kushiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Representative experts