A Continental Dataset Analysis on Strategy Implementation from the COP12 Ramsar National Reports

This study analyzed the implementation levels of 26 Ramsar Convention strategies reported by Contracting Parties at COP12, focusing on regional differences across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. Descriptive statistics revealed clear geographic variation, with Asia and Europe consistently achieving midto high-level performance, while Africa and Latin America showed greater variability, especially in governance- and finance-related strategies. Oceania demonstrated strong performance in restoration, invasive alien species management, and Ramsar Site designation, whereas North America showed wide fluctuations due to limited reporting. Management and restoration strategies were generally well implemented across regions, while institutional, financial, and cooperation-related strategies exhibited persistent gaps. These results highlight structural disparities in policy capacity, financial resources, and institutional readiness among Contracting Parties. The findings provide a quantitative foundation for strengthening targeted support mechanisms, enhancing data quality in national reporting, and improving the global effectiveness of the Ramsar Convention.