May 5, 2026
The success of COP15 in Victoria Falls has set a critical precedent, propelling countries towards an intensified commitment to the protection and restoration of vital wetland ecosystems. This crucial momentum, established at the Convention on Wetlands’ 15th Conference of the Parties, now forms the bedrock for scaling up efforts to safeguard the irreplaceable benefits these natural systems provide for humanity, biodiversity, and the global climate. As the Convention’s Standing Committee convened for its 67th meeting, a unified voice from six leading International Organisation Partners—Birdlife International, IUCN, IWMI, Wetlands International, WWF, and WWT—underscored the urgent need for decisive action to translate these aspirations into tangible outcomes.
Delivering a statement on behalf of these influential organizations, Laura MacKenzie, Senior Advocacy Officer at Wetlands International, highlighted the significance of the adopted 5th Strategic Plan and numerous resolutions, encompassing areas such as flyways, freshwater ecosystems, Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and crucial finance mechanisms. The focus, she emphasized, must now firmly shift to the diligent implementation of these agreements. Drawing on their extensive, on-the-ground experience across diverse wetland landscapes worldwide, the partners outlined three paramount priorities that demand immediate and sustained attention.
Addressing the Root Causes: Finance and Economic Decision-Making
The foremost priority identified by the International Organisation Partners is the urgent need to address the fundamental drivers of wetland loss and degradation, with a particular emphasis on the pervasive influence of financial and economic decision-making. Unlocking increased financial resources dedicated to wetland conservation and restoration is posited as a central pillar of their collaborative work. However, the stark reality, as illuminated by the Global Wetland Outlook, is that nature-negative public and private financial flows have alarmingly escalated.
The UNEP State of Finance for Nature report paints a deeply concerning picture, revealing that for every dollar invested in nature protection, a staggering thirty dollars are expended in its destruction. This imbalance highlights a critical systemic failure that directly undermines conservation efforts. Consequently, for the current triennium, the partners advocate for a significantly amplified focus on reducing and redirecting subsidies and financial flows that actively harm wetlands.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has consistently underscored the pivotal role of governments in this transition. Policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks wield considerable power in shaping the actions of businesses and financial institutions. By strategically aligning fiscal policies and economic incentives with biodiversity goals, governments can steer investments away from destructive practices and towards sustainable solutions.
Furthermore, rapid progress is deemed essential in incorporating the intrinsic and often undervalued economic worth of wetlands into broader economic policy. The current paradigm frequently witnesses wetland safeguards being eroded rather than reinforced in the name of perceived development. MacKenzie cited illustrative examples of this detrimental trend. The recent weakening of a law designed to protect glacier areas, for instance, has exacerbated the existing threats posed by lithium mining to wetlands and water security in the fragile High Andes region. Similarly, the proposed dilution of the European Union’s Water Framework Directive has ignited profound concerns among environmental advocates regarding its potential impact on freshwater ecosystems across the continent. These instances underscore a persistent disconnect between economic objectives and ecological preservation, necessitating a fundamental reevaluation of development priorities.
Reconfiguring Human-Wetland Relationships: Embracing Transformative Change
The second key priority revolves around the imperative of reconfiguring the complex and often unbalanced relationships between humans and wetlands. In this regard, the partners expressed strong support for the recent resolutions adopted by the IUCN, including those pertaining to the rights of nature, specifically rivers. These resolutions, endorsed by governments, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, and NGOs in October, signal a growing recognition of the intrinsic value and legal standing of natural ecosystems.
The International Organisation Partners are eager to explore how ‘rights of wetlands’ approaches can serve as a catalyst for transformative change. This concept aligns with the critical findings of IPBES, which has identified transformative change as essential for addressing the biodiversity crisis, and is also referenced within the Ramsar Strategic Plan. By legally and ethically recognizing wetlands as entities with inherent rights, a paradigm shift can be fostered, moving beyond a purely utilitarian view of these ecosystems to one that respects their ecological integrity and inherent worth. This reorientation of human-wetland relationships is seen as fundamental to achieving long-term conservation success.
Wetlands as Vital Connectors for Global Environmental Agendas
The third critical priority emphasizes the indispensable role of wetlands in achieving the objectives of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). MacKenzie stressed the need to elevate wetlands’ status as vital watery connectors that permeate the agendas of all three Rio Conventions (Convention on Biological Diversity, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and UNFCCC), as well as the UN Water Conference. This interconnectedness is further reinforced by Resolution XV.4 on synergies, which calls for greater coherence and collaboration among environmental treaties.
The UN SDG 6 Synthesis Report eloquently highlights water as a "Super Connector," essential for the realization of all Sustainable Development Goals. Wetlands, as integral components of the hydrological cycle, are undeniably central to this interconnectedness. The year 2026 has already commenced with promising developments. Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) adopted significant decisions concerning flyways, connectivity, and migratory wetland species. The Pantanal Declaration, a landmark agreement, emphatically championed the multifaceted role of wetlands, not merely for biodiversity conservation, but also for climate regulation, water security, and the sustenance of community livelihoods. These initiatives powerfully demonstrate the profound impact of cross-border cooperation and decisive political leadership in advancing wetland conservation.
Looking ahead, the strengthening of coherent monitoring and reporting systems is deemed essential for tracking progress and ensuring accountability. In this context, the proposed indicator framework for the 5th Strategic Plan has been warmly welcomed, and the Standing Committee is urged to formally adopt it. Such a framework will provide a standardized and robust mechanism for assessing the effectiveness of conservation efforts across signatory nations.
Opportunities Across Key Global Conferences
The upcoming series of major international conferences presents significant opportunities to accelerate action on wetland conservation. The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17, scheduled to be held in Mongolia, offers a platform to enhance efforts concerning freshwater ecosystems and peatlands, building upon the crucial incorporation of wetlands into land degradation neutrality targets and drought resilience plans.
At the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP17 in Armenia, the global review process is expected to showcase how reversing wetland loss and degradation is fundamental to achieving the 2030 biodiversity targets. This will underscore the critical contribution of wetlands to global conservation goals.
Furthermore, at the UNFCCC COP31 and the concurrent UN Water Conference, discussions surrounding water security, climate resilience, and mitigation must catalyze a substantial shift in investment. This entails a significant reallocation of resources from ‘grey’ infrastructure (e.g., concrete dams, pipelines) to ‘green’ and ‘blue’ infrastructure, which harness the natural processes and benefits of ecosystems like wetlands.
The International Organisation Partners also recognize the pivotal role of "whole of society" voluntary initiatives. Such endeavors, like the Freshwater Challenge, as featured in Resolution XV.15, the Mangrove Breakthrough, and the Peatland Breakthrough, are invaluable in mobilizing broader engagement and action. Contracting Parties are warmly encouraged to participate actively in these collaborative efforts.
The Enduring Value of Scientific and Technical Support
Finally, the significant contributions of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) outputs to the conservation and wise use of wetlands were highlighted. The International Organisation Partners expressed their pleasure in contributing to numerous priority tasks undertaken by the STRP. These include work on GEOwetlands, the water cycle, transformative change pathways, and the upcoming Global Wetland Outlook focusing on urban wetlands. The scientific insights and technical guidance provided by the STRP are considered indispensable for informing policy and guiding practical conservation interventions.
As the Standing Committee meeting progresses, Wetlands International and its partner organizations look forward to a week of constructive dialogue and collaborative work. Their commitment remains unwavering: to partner with Contracting Parties, the Ramsar Secretariat, and a diverse array of stakeholders to advance shared wetland goals, ensuring these invaluable ecosystems are protected and restored for the benefit of all. The urgency of the situation demands a unified and resolute approach, building on the momentum generated at COP15 to secure a sustainable future for wetlands and the planet.
