Established in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar with 18 countries involved, the convention now has 158 member states. Korea became its 101st member in 1997.

The convention is held every three years. The 10th such event kicks off on Oct. 28 for a week in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

This year's convention intends to crate a declaration to be implemented and reviewed at its next meeting.

This will be the second time the convention has been held in Asia, after Japan in 1993.

Korea hosts the 140-million-year-old Upo wetland near Nakdong River in South Gyeongsang Province. It is home to more than 300 endangered species of plants, birds and fish.

There is also the Suncheon wetland in South Jeolla Province, the fifth largest in the world, spanning some 30 kilometers from north to south.

Next month's convention is expected to bring in around 2,000 government representatives from 160 countries and non-governmental organizations.

Changwon city officials hope the event, which took three years of preparation, will attract increased attention on the region.

Arirang News.