NOVI SAD MARKS WORLD WETLANDS DAY AND CONTINUES ACTIVE NATURE PROTECTION

The Mayor of Novi Sad, Žarko Mićin, attended the conference “Ramsar Wetland City – World Wetlands Day”, held at the Cultural Station “Eđšeg” to mark World Wetlands Day. The conference was also attended by the Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov, Аssistant Provincial Secretary Gojko Palalić, members of the City Council, representatives of city administrations and public utility companies, as well as representatives of protected area management authorities from the public enterprises “Vojvodinašume” and “Vode Vojvodine”, the Provincial Institute for Nature Conservation, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, educational institutions and environmental organisations.

Mayor Žarko Mićin stated that wetlands are one of the city’s key natural resources and that their protection requires continuous investment and close cooperation among all competent institutions.

- At the beginning of 2025, Novi Sad became one of only 74 cities worldwide, and just 14 in Europe, to receive the ‘Ramsar Wetland City’ accreditation. This status obliges us to safeguard more than 6,300 hectares of protected wetlands in our surroundings, including the Kovilj–Petrovaradin Marsh and the ‘Begečka Jama’ Nature Park, through concrete measures, planning and investment. Although the City does not have direct management authority, it is our responsibility to ensure that all city decisions are aligned with protection regimes and that we act as a reliable partner to the managers of protected areas - Mićin said.

He added that during 2025 and 2026 the City is implementing projects that directly contribute to the protection of water resources and natural habitats, including the regeneration of the water source at Štrand, the construction of a new well on Petrovaradin Island, the continuation of works on the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the expansion of the sewage network in suburban settlements through the “Clean Serbia” project.

-The City of Novi Sad’s budget for 2026 amounts to 48.166 billion dinars, with a record 4.5 billion dinars, or 9.3 per cent of the total budget, allocated to environmental protection. These funds ensure that Novi Sad is not merely a title holder, but a city that actively invests in the preservation of water resources, biodiversity and the quality of life of its citizens - the Mayor emphasised, adding - Our goal is clear – a Novi Sad that continues to develop, but not at the expense of nature. A city that systematically takes care of water, manages waste and protects wetlands, today and for generations to come.

Minister Sara Pavkov stressed that the “Ramsar Wetland City” status represents an example of good practice and that the state provides full support for future projects in the field of natural resource protection.

-Only through joint action can we preserve wetlands. Therefore, let this day serve as a reminder of the responsibility we bear – to respect the knowledge of our ancestors, to protect nature and to leave wetlands to future generations as spaces of life, culture and harmony between humans and nature. Thank you for sharing this vision and for contributing through your work to the preservation of our shared heritage - Minister Pavkov said.

This was followed by expert presentations from representatives of the public enterprises “Vojvodinašume” and “Vode Vojvodine”, the Provincial Institute for Nature Conservation and the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia. The importance of the accreditation for the City of Novi Sad was highlighted by Vanja Petković, a member of the City Council responsible for ecology, energy efficiency and environmental protection. The conference was also attended by City Council members Tatjana Medved, Milica Vučićević, Dragan Marinković, Aleksandar Bulajić, Danijela Andrić and Mirjana Marković.

Novi Sad, 2 February 2026