The Mesopotamian Marshlands at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, once covering 20,000 km2, constitute a unique freshwater ecosystem and have been home to indigenous tribes of Marsh Arabs, or Madans, who had practiced their traditional agriculture for over 5,000 years, since the Sumerian civilization. The wetland ecosystem consists of permanent, seasonal and temporary marshes and contains many endemic and threatened species. It is an important breeding ground for fish and plays a key role in the intercontinental flyway of migratory birds. The Marsh Arab communities gather reed, cultivate cereals and date palm, graze large livestock, fish and hunt. Due to their uniqueness in the desert environment, the ancient cultural heritage, biodiversity and wildlife, the wetlands –regarded as the site of the legendary Garden of Eden– are of global value and deserve to be protected and restored.