World Wetlands Day 2025; February 2nd.

FORUM: "Protecting wetlands for our common future." World Wetlands Day 2025. Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, and more than 35% of wetlands have been degraded or lost since 1970. This year, we will underscore the need for collaboration and foresight as we build a future wherein all people, everywhere, can continue to benefit from the life-sustaining services that wetlands provide. By valuing and protecting wetlands today – and by inspiring one another in this united effort – we better ensure our common future and wellbeing. Three key messages inform this year’s campaign. We encourage you to reflect on how they apply to wetlands in your area and to tailor them as you drive participation in World Wetlands Day 2025. • Protecting the world’s wetlands is in our common interest – it safeguards us all. • The future of humanity depends on bold action today to protect and restore these indispensable ecosystems. • COP15 unites us in the global effort to promote wetland conservation and ensure the continuity of their benefits. Healthy wetlands are critical for climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity and human health. Yet, unsustainable development, pollution and climate change continue to threaten these essential ecosystems. Protecting wetlands for our common future requires collaboration on policies, regulations and community initiatives that spur effective conservation and sustainable wise use. Ensuring the health of the world’s wetlands will allow future generations to enjoy their ecological, economic and cultural benefits – and foster a sustainable, prosperous future for all. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a call for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world. It runs from 2021 to 2030. By conserving the world’s wetlands, we safeguard biodiversity, enhance climate resilience and secure critical ecosystem services that support human health, economic wellbeing and cultural heritage. Follow the conversations with the hashtags #WorldWetlandsDay, #wetlandrestoration, #2February ,#ReviveAndRestore, #wetlands.

EVENTS: The observance of World Wetlands Day 2025 is of particular significance, as it coincides with the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands (COP15). Every three years, representatives of the governments of each of the Contracting Parties meet to facilitate crucial discussions on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and to agree on a work program for the next three years. Zimbabwe is the global conservation arena for COP15 – scheduled for 23-31 July 2025 in Victoria Falls under the same theme as World Wetlands Day 2025: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” The Republic of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry is the key partner for both COP15 and World Wetlands Day 2025

On Feburary 2nd will be held the World Wetlands Day 2025, the celebrations are open to everyone — from international organizations, governments, wetland practitioners, to children, youth, media, community groups, decision-makers, to all individuals — as these ecosystems are important for us all. Get the list of upcoming events.

WEBINARS: The FAO, in collaboration with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat will host an event on 2 February 2025 from 12:00 to 13:30 (CET) at FAO Headquarters and online. Register to participate!

STATEMENTS:

• Statement from Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme.
• Statement from Dr QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO.
• Statement from Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Convention on Wetlands.
• Statement from his Excellency, Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
• Statement from Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, SR. President of the Republic of Liberia.
• Statement from Mr. Mark Smith, Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
• Statement by Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN.
• Statement of Mr. Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International.
• Statement of Mr. Jacques Trouvilliez, Executive Secretary Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
• Statement from Mr. Yvonne Higuero, Secretary General of CITES.

GET INVOLVED!

Preserving world’s wetlands

Tourism can play key role in preserving world’s wetlands, UN agency says

The reflection of a tree in the wetlands of Tasitolu lake, Timor-Leste. UN Photo/Martine Perret

2 February 2012 – Responsible, sustainable tourism can play a valuable role in conserving and protecting the world’s often fragile wetlands, the head of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) said today. “Wetlands, their wildlife, and the human communities in and around them can benefit directly from tourism through entry fees, sale of local products, and so on,” said Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of UNWTO.

“At the same time, the ‘use’ of wetlands as tourism locations comes with certain risks,” he added. “The challenge is to ensure that sustainable tourism practices are being implemented and bring benefits for wetlands, their wildlife and people… We would emphasize that tourism businesses, if well informed and prepared to adapt their operations, can certainly promote and support wetland biodiversity and the natural beauty of wetlands.”

UNWTO today marked World Wetlands Day, which this year has the theme of wetland tourism, by saying it will join forces with the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, to promote responsible tourism and recreation in wetlands worldwide.

Many wetlands, from the Okavango Delta in Southern Africa to the Danube Delta in Eastern Europe and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, are in a fragile state as a result of both human and natural forces.