Major wetlands conference concludes successfully at Victoria Falls
In a major win for wetlands, the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands concluded successfully today under the strong leadership of Zimbabwe.
The latest Global Wetland Outlook set the scene for the meeting: we’ve already lost 22% of our wetlands since 1970, and we’re currently on track to lose another 20% by 2050, potentially costing us $39 trillion in lost benefits. In light of these findings, BirdLife International called on governments to lean in, not take ten steps back on behalf of all six International Organisation Partners (IOPs) to the Convention.
Major successes included:
- the adoption of a new Strategic Plan for the Convention 2025-2034, to set the direction for wetland conservation and wise use over the 10 years,
- a much-needed boost in finance for the Convention core budget (4,1%),
- critical decisions for the BirdLife Partnership on wetland Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), national action for wetland sites of flyway importance, the establishment of a Waterbird Estimates Partnership, as well as an ambitious programme of work for the Convention’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel.
There were great conversations at high-level events and side meetings on how to mobilise innovative financing and nature-based solutions for wetlands at scale, which BirdLife will follow up on together with our fellow IOPs.
Implementation is now key! We encourage countries to align their work on the restoration, protection and effective management of wetlands with their work to deliver on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Hosted by BirdLife Zimbabwe, over 20 of our Partners joined the BirdLife International delegation at COP15, which kicked off with a policy and advocacy workshop focused on wetlands, followed by a flyways workshop for the Eastern part of the African-Eurasian flyway.
As noted by the COP15 President, we are now “on a flyway to Panama” as the meeting accepted Panama’s offer to host the next Conference of the Parties – COP16 – in July 2028.
We look forward to working with the wetland community to action these important decisions in the years to come!
Header image: © Javiera Perez Ribalta
“For Zimbabwe, Ramsar COP15 provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Convention has only been held in Africa once before, and BirdLife Zimbabwe showed up in force to showcase our work and engage in national conversations on wetlands and birds.
Julia Pierini, CEO of BirdLife Zimbabwe
We look forward to supporting the Zimbabwean Government through their Presidency to champion actions for wetland protection and restoration, at home and abroad.”
“The BirdLife Partnership has worked tirelessly and brilliantly this week, showing up and speaking up for wetlands and waterbirds. Their chorus of voices has helped to raise our collective ambition for action on wetlands.
Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International
As people leave Victoria Falls, there is much to do. But we are grateful for the leadership of the Zimbabwean Government and the Convention Secretariat for securing a good outcome from these talks.
We remain determined to preserve these incredible ecosystems, so that birds and all life can thrive. We leave inspired by the work and energy of our host BirdLife Zimbabwe, and all of our BirdLife Partners and friends in the wetland world.”