Global leaders to convene at COP15 to bolster wetland conservation efforts

UP to 20 per cent of the world’s remaining wetlands could vanish by 2050… if climate crisis continue, putting an estimated $39 trillion in global benefits at risk

Zimbabwe: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav arrived at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to attend the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

The conference will take place from 23 to 31 July 2025 under the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” to strengthen international commitments for protecting and restoring the wetland ecosystems.

“Will put forth India’s vision for wetland conservation and how we host 91 Ramsar Sites, the highest number in Asia and the third-highest globally” Bhupendre Yadav said on X.

Around 172 Contracting Parties are set to gather at COP15, where delegates from around the world will come together to renew and strengthen international commitments to wetland conservation.

This year’s COP15 will highlight the urgent need to protect and restore wetlands — ecosystems that are among the most productive and yet most threatened in the world.

The chosen theme underscores the vital role wetlands play in maintaining ecological health, preserving biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

Role of COP 15

Throughout the conference, delegates will engage in high-level dialogues, negotiate enhanced commitments, and explore best practices in the sustainable management and restoration of wetland ecosystems.

Special emphasis will be placed on integrating wetland conservation into national climate and biodiversity strategies, aligning with the global objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement.

The conference is expected to result in the adoption of new resolutions and partnerships aimed at accelerating action on wetland conservation.

Countries are anticipated to announce increased funding, improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and stronger integration of wetlands into national and regional development plans.

Wetlands provide food, clean water, livelihoods, and cultural value for millions of people, particularly in vulnerable and Indigenous communities. Their degradation directly threatens these benefits and exacerbates poverty, inequality, and ecological instability.

“Wetlands bankroll the planet, yet we are still investing more in their destruction than in their recovery,” said Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands. “The world is sitting on a $10 trillion opportunity—restoring wetlands could unlock these benefits, but we’re running out of time.”

According to “The Global Wetland Outlook 2025” if current trends continue, up to 20 per cent of the world’s remaining wetlands could vanish by 2050, putting an estimated $39 trillion in global benefits at risk.

Wetlands currently cover about 6% of the Earth’s surface but contribute more than 7.5% of global GDP through services such as clean water, flood protection, food security, and carbon storage.

Despite their importance, wetlands are vanishing faster than any other ecosystem, an average of 0.52% per year. Since 1970, 22% of wetlands have been lost, equivalent to more than half a billion football pitches.