Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands, has called for urgent global cooperation to protect wetlands as preparations intensify for the upcoming 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties, or COP15, set to take place in Zimbabwe in July.
Observed annually on February 2, World Wetlands Day marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. The convention, which now includes 172 member countries, provides a framework for global wetland conservation.
This year's theme, "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," aligns with World Wetlands Day 2025 and underscores the role of wetlands in sustaining biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and supporting sustainable development.
Speaking to China Global Television Network (CGTN) from Zurich, Switzerland, Mumba emphasized the importance of global collaboration in wetland conservation, particularly as COP15, scheduled for July 23-31 in Victoria Falls, aims to strengthen commitments, enhance international cooperation, and secure resources to safeguard these ecosystems.
"We need to recognize that protecting wetlands is important for our collective future. So every second of February, we celebrate World Wetlands Day globally -- every community, every country, every location. And so this theme this year really just spotlights the element of connectivity and the element of collectivity. The very fact that, you know, one wetland system upstream of one country has implications downstream of another location, which is why protecting them collectively is very, very important," Mumba said.
"And we've seen the impacts of climate change on many of these systems, manifesting either in floods -- too much water -- or in drought -- too little water. So wetlands are absolutely critical, really, if they're managed well, and protected, and sustainably used, which is why we refer to wise use as a convention. And as a result, this is why the theme is focusing on protecting wetlands for our common future. Because that future that we're talking about is a very unpredictable and complex future, one that's heating up very quickly. The planet is heating up very quickly, and the manifestation of change is usually around wetland systems," she added.
With the COP 15 meeting just six months away, discussions will center on how countries can collaborate to protect wetlands and ensure their sustainable use.
"A Conference of the Parties is when countries come together to really agree, and discuss, and firmly put into position how is it that they are going to manage these vital and important ecosystems, and why? Why at this juncture? And which is why we're taking this journey from World Wetlands Day all the way to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The purpose of that meeting will be for the world to come together and then agree, in common interest, on how we are going to safeguard these ecosystems," said Mumba.
She emphasized that wetland conservation requires not only protection but also substantial investment in human, financial, and technological resources.
"But it's not just safeguarding -- what kind of investment are we going to put in, in terms of resources, in terms of human resources, in terms of financial resources, [and] technological resources when necessary? What are we going to do? Because many of us, in fact, all of us on the planet, depend on a wetland somewhere -- maybe in a city where we live, which is getting warmer very quickly. And because we have a green space and we have a water space, it's actually wonderful to be able to feel the system of the city much cooler because the wetland is there," she explained.
With Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River, hosting COP15, the impact of climate change on wetlands is particularly relevant, noted Mumba, a Zambian-born environmentalist with over 25 years of global experience in environmental management and sustainable development.
"So, it's an important moment in our history, but also at the same time, there will be really a discussion to promote the element of synergies. We cannot not talk about wetlands and food systems. We cannot not talk about wetlands and energy. And by the way, we're going to be having the COP on the Victoria Falls, which is on the Zambezi River. You may be aware that this region, [over the] last year, has faced one of the most extreme droughts, resulting in a lot of challenges in the generation of electricity because most of the electricity generated is hydropower-based. So, wetlands are very, very much important, and also for social cohesion -- they are extremely, extremely important," she said.
Mumba, who is traveling to Zimbabwe this week, also highlighted the country's unique dambos -- specialized wetland systems that play a crucial role in local ecosystems.
"Zimbabwe is one country that has very special wetland systems called 'dambos'. You see the green vegetation above these wetland ecosystems, but you hardly see the water. What a lot of people do not realize is that the wetland itself and the aquifer below is the reservoir and lifeline for many communities -- for agriculture, for water supply, for birds, and many other species. So, this campaign this year is also a demonstration of the element of, as I said earlier on, of intersectionality," said Mumba.
As the world prepares for COP15, discussions will focus on strengthening conservation efforts, enhancing international cooperation, and ensuring that wetlands continue to play their vital role in mitigating climate change and sustaining biodiversity.
Top wetlands official calls for global action ahead of COP15 in Zimbabwe as World Wetlands Day is observed
