The Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) is a joint initiative of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, represented by the Department of Environment (DoE), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Launched in 2005, the project aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate the major threats facing Iran’s wetlands, while promoting the long-term conservation and sustainability of these valuable ecosystems. The project has been implemented in a number of selected pilot wetlands of national and international importance, where ecosystem-based approaches to wetland management have been developed, tested, and refined. Building on the lessons learned from these pilot sites, the project seeks to expand successful experiences to other wetlands across the country. To achieve this, CIWP promotes the adoption of an ecosystem-based management approach, supports the establishment of effective and participatory management systems, and contributes to strengthening the institutional and legal frameworks required for the long-term implementation of sustainable wetland management throughout Iran.