Convention on Wetlands

The links between biodiversity and climate change flow both ways. Conserving natural terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems and restoring degraded ecosystems is essential for the overall goals of both the @unbiodiversity.bsky.social and UN Climate Change.

During #COP17Armenia, Secretary General Dr Musonda Mumba met with H.E. David Songulashvili, Georgia’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, highlighting the importance of protecting and restoring wetlands and strengthening their conservation at the national level.

#COP17Armenia: Yesterday, the Secretary General delivered opening remarks at the side event “GEO-Wetlands: Operationalizing Wetland Earth Observation for National Action and KMGBF Reporting”, held at the Data to Action Pavilion.

The Secretary General Dr Musonda Mumba, met with the delegation from the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on the margins of #COP17Armenia, providing an opportunity to strengthen engagement and highlight the importance of wetlands in advancing biodiversity conservation.

At #COP17Armenia, the Secretary General held a working meeting with the International Organization Partners (IOPs) of the Convention on Wetlands, recognising their important role in supporting the Convention’s mission and advancing wetland conservation and restoration worldwide.

#COP16 of the Convention on Wetlands will be held in Panama City, Republic of Panama, from 7 to 15 June 2028. Today the Secretary General met with H.E. Juan Carlos Navarro, Panama’s Minister of Environment, to review preparations for the upcoming #WetlandsCOP16.

On the sidelines of #COP17Armenia, the Secretary General, Dr Musonda Mumba, had a bilateral meeting with Jyoti Hosagrahar, the Deputy Director of UNESCO, underscoring the links between wetlands, urban development and cultural heritage.

The State of Biodiversity Action report provides the first global assessment of collective progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in December 2022 with 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. www.cbd.int/doc/press/20...

At #COP17Armenia, the Secretary General met with Diego Mesa Puyo, CFA, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility. Discussions focused on the importance of connecting national wetland priorities with the Global Environment Facility programming and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.

#COP17Armenia: The Water and Biodiversity Day brought together governments, international organisations, experts, and partners to advance action to conserve, restore and sustainably manage freshwater ecosystems.

At #COP17Armenia, the Secretary General met with the COP15 Presidency of the Convention on Wetlands, led by Hon Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife. The engagement highlighted the important role of the COP15 Presidency in advancing the Convention’s priorities.

Today, the Secretary General met bilaterally with H.E. Hambardzum Matevosyan, Armenia's Minister of Environment. Discussions reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation in advancing wetland conservation, with an emphasis on knowledge exchange & strengthening international partnerships.

🌐Happy United Nations Day! Celebrated every year on 24 October, #UnitedNationsDay is an opportunity to reaffirm the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and recognise the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

On the margins of #COP17Armenia, the Secretary General visited Gavar State University, where she delivered a lecture to students, highlighting the importance of wetlands, the essential benefits they provide and the need to strengthen efforts to conserve and restore them.

During her visit to Armenia, the Secretary General had a working breakfast with Mr. Karen Mnatsakanyan, Director of Sevan National Park at the Ministry of Environment of Armenia. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the conservation & sustainable management of Lake Sevan.

Today, the Secretary General visited Lake Sevan accompanied by Mr. Karen Jenderedjian, Armenia’s National Focal Point for the Convention. Located at 1,900 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains, Lake Sevan is one of the world’s largest freshwater alpine wetlands and a #RamsarSite.

#ExcitingNews: India has added Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, bringing its total number of #RamsarSites to 103. Read more: www.ramsar.org/news/india-a... #India #ValueWetlands #CelebrateWetlands

#SaveTheDate: Water and Biodiversity Day at #COP17Armenia 💧24 October 2026 | 14:00–18:00 (GMT+4) 📍GBF Pavilion, Blue Zone The Water and Biodiversity Day will bring together key stakeholders to explore how we can accelerate action to conserve, restore & sustainably manage water-related ecosystems.

At #COP15Zimbabwe in 2025, through Resolution XV.6, the Convention on Wetlands adopted a new Programme on communication, capacity building, education, participation and awareness (CEPA), entitled People and Wetlands. Join the CEPA Network: www.ramsar.org/our-work/act...

#WetlandsWednesday: Saltmarshes are coastal wetlands that are filled and drained by the tides, creating a unique watery mosaic of salt-tolerant plants, creeks, pools and grasses that host a vast array of wildlife. Saltmarshes can capture carbon up to 40 times faster than forests.

Join us tomorrow at #COP17Armenia for our side event titled: Wetlands as Natural Water Infrastructure for Delivery of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 18:15–19:45 (GMT+4) 📍 Ashtarak – NGOs Group Meeting Room, Block 2, 3rd Floor, Yerevan, Armenia www.cbd.int/side-events/...

The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands is organising and contributing to events at #COP17Armenia. Explore our events and discover key resources to support the wise use of wetlands. 🔗 www.ramsar.org/convention-w... #CBDCOP17 #WetlandsMatter

2026 marks a crucial year for global environmental governance, with the three Rio Convention conferences taking place in close succession. Recognising wetlands as an important part of integrated action will be key to translating global commitments into action. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgG_...

The Secretary General Dr Musonda Mumba, will be attending #COP17Armenia. Decisions taken in Yerevan will not stand in isolation. They will form part of a continuous chain of action linking nature, land, climate, and water agendas. Wetlands are at the heart of this connection.

As the world undertakes the first global review of collective progress on implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, wetlands play a critical role in achieving its goals and targets. #COP17Armenia is being held in Yerevan from October 19 to October 30, 2026.

The Global Restoration Achievements Database provides the first structured, comparable synthesis of reported restoration implementation across countries, addressing a critical gap between global restoration commitments and measurable outcomes. Learn more: iucn.org/resources/fi...

The Islamic Republic of Iran has added Gahar Lake as its 28th Wetland of International Importance. This #RamsarSite, located in the Gahar valley within the mountainous Oshtorankuh Protected Area, is a freshwater lake situated at an elevation of 2,300 metres. www.ramsar.org/news/islamic...

🌾This year, the theme for #WorldFoodDay is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” Investing in wetland conservation and restoration is an important step towards more sustainable agrifood systems and a more food-secure future.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands is inviting nominations of women whose leadership, knowledge and actions are making a difference for wetlands and the communities that depend on them. Nomination deadline: 15 December 2026 contacts.ramsar.org/form/ml/wome...

🌾 For women in rural communities, healthy wetlands provide resources for food production, freshwater, fisheries & livelihoods. 🌿 Recognising their knowledge & leadership is essential to ensuring the conservation of wetlands. Today, we celebrate their important work in protecting wetlands.

🌍Across the world, cities are taking action to conserve and wisely use their wetlands through the Wetland City Accreditation scheme. 🔎Spot a Wetland City! How many accredited Wetland Cities can you find? www.ramsar.org/our-work/act... #WetlandsWednesday #WetlandCities

#WetlandsWednesday: The Wetland City Accreditation scheme encourages cities in proximity to and dependent on wetlands, especially Wetlands of International Importance, to highlight and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems. Learn more: www.ramsar.org/our-work/act...

🏞️ Wetlands are among nature’s most effective defences against disasters. 💧 This year’s theme for the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, “Resilience Starts at Home,” reminds us that disaster risk reduction begins long before a disaster strikes. #DRRDay #WetlandsMatter

The Living Planet Report 2026 shows both the scale of the challenge and the real momentum for change. Nature recovery is possible, but what happens next depends on the choices made by leaders, businesses, investors, communities and citizens today. livingplanet.panda.org/en-GB/

Ahead of the @unbiodiversity.bsky.social #COP17, the six International Organization Partners of the Convention on Wetlands have prepared a new briefing paper titled: Wetland Action to Enhance Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. www.wetlands.org/wetland-acti...

The Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems Fund (DIMFE) has opened its 2026 call for projects, offering €100,000 to €500,000 in funding for initiatives that protect and restore freshwater ecosystems across the Mediterranean basin. Apply today: www.dimfe.org/en/submit-a-...

The theme for #WorldMigratoryBirdDay2026, “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter!” highlights the important role of community science (also referred to as citizen science) for the conservation of migratory birds. #WetlandsForAll #WetlandsMatter

When you visit a wetland and record the birds you see, you do more than observe nature; you actively protect it. 🦆On this #WorldMigratoryBirdDay2026, step out into your local wetlands. Look up at the sky, look into the reeds and make every observation count.

As Iman Ebrahimi, Voice for Wetlands, reminds us: “Every observation matters because it creates more than a data point. When someone notices a bird, identifies it and shares that observation, a small connection begins between that person, the bird and conservation.” #WorldMigratoryBirdDay

🕊️ Throughout more than four decades of public service, Jérôme Bignon was a dedicated advocate for wetland conservation. The Secretariat extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at Ramsar France. 🔗 www.ramsar.org/news/remembe...

The Secretary General had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms Hasmik Tolmajian, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva. As Armenia will host #COP17Armenia, the exchange highlighted opportunities to advance action for wetland conservation.

Ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference, the Secretary General met with Dr Miriam Haritz of Germany’s @umweltministerium.de. The meeting focused on the Convention’s engagement and Germany’s role, alongside Mexico, as co-chair of the Interactive Dialogue on Water in Multilateral Processes.

Yesterday, the Secretary General paid a courtesy visit to Mr Nicolas Walder, State Councillor for the Department of Territory of the Canton of Geneva. Discussions focused on the Canton of Geneva’s Wetland City Accreditation and its contribution to the recent #STRP29 field visit. #WetlandsWednesday

Migratory birds depend on a network of healthy wetlands across countries and continents, using them to rest, feed and breed along their flyways. Safeguarding these wetlands requires people too, from scientists and local communities to holders of traditional knowledge and young people.

#STRP29 concluded last week, bringing together STRP members, experts and partners for scientific and technical exchange and to advance the implementation of the Panel’s 2025–2028 workplan and the scientific and technical priorities of the Convention on Wetlands.

#WorldHabitatDay: Urban areas, especially cities, are now home to slightly more than half of the world’s population. As cities grow, protecting urban wetlands is increasingly important for the people and nature that depend on them.

So many women working tirelessly to protect and restore our wetlands - so get your nominations in. We're certainly going to be nominating some of the incredible, inspiring women that Wetlands International collaborate with around the world. And maybe a few of our own remarkable colleagues

At #STRP29, Secretary General Dr Musonda Mumba met with Dr Siobhan Fennessy and Dr Line Rochefort, two Women Changemakers in the World of Wetlands, whose work demonstrates the important contribution of women to wetland science, management and conservation. #WomenChangemakers #WomenAndWetlands

Today at #STRP29 was GEO-Wetlands Day. The day highlighted the role of GEO-Wetlands, a collaborative partnership promoting the use of Earth observation to support wetland inventory, assessment, monitoring and conservation. #EarthObservation #WeNeedWetlands