An absorption medium for removing acid gases from a fluid stream comprises an aqueous solution of a) of at least one metal salt of an aminocarboxylic acid, and b) of at least one acid promoter, wherein the molar ratio of b) to a) is in the range from 0.0005 to 1.0. The acid promoter is selected from mineral acids, carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, organic phosphonic acids and partial esters thereof. The absorption medium, compared with absorption media based on amino acid salts, has a reduced regeneration energy requirement without significantly reducing the absorption capacity of the solution for acid gases. In a process for removing acid gases from the fluid stream, the fluid stream is brought into contact with the absorption medium.