Japan Contributes ¥690 Million to Restore Lake Urmia

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Iran has welcomed a ¥690 million ($4.6 million) contribution from Japan to advance wetland conservation efforts and promote climate-adapted livelihoods in Lake Urmia, Shadegan, Parishan, and Anzali wetlands.

Japan, a long-time partner of UNDP and the Iranian government since 2014, has consistently supported sustainable resource management and community livelihood diversification in Iran’s wetland basins.

The latest agreement, signed on Dec. 1, 2024, formalizes a project titled "The Project for Developing Conservation System of Wetlands in Lake Urmia and Other Wetlands including their Surrounding Communities." The initiative will run from 2024 to 2028 in collaboration with Iran’s Department of Environment and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Building on prior achievements, the project aims to expand successful conservation practices, focusing on sustainable agriculture and alternative livelihoods adapted to climate challenges. The approach seeks to preserve wetland biodiversity while improving community well-being.

“Over the past ten years, the unwavering support from the People and the Government of Japan has positively impacted agricultural productivity and enhanced livelihoods in target communities,” said Gulbahor Nematova, UNDP Iran Deputy Resident Representative. “In the next four years, we will continue promoting innovative, water-efficient agricultural practices while emphasizing scaling up for a better future for all.”

Highlighting the project’s importance, Japan's Ambassador to Iran Tamaki Tsukada, emphasized the critical role of Iran’s 26 wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention. “These wetlands, including Lake Urmia, are vital for biodiversity and migratory birds and must be conserved with international cooperation,” he said.

The Ambassador pointed out that conserving Lake Urmia requires managing excessive water extraction, improving irrigation systems to adapt to climate change, and developing sustainable industries like eco-tourism. He expressed optimism about the project’s potential to address these challenges while generating knowledge and technology applicable to other Iranian wetlands.

“We hope that the new project signed today will contribute to the environmental protection and economic development of the areas around the wetlands,” Tsukada added.

UNDP is the United Nations’ leading development organization, operating in 170 countries to deliver sustainable solutions for people and the planet.