Under the 2023 theme of “It’s Time for Wetland Restoration” over 1,700 events celebrating World Wetlands Day have been registered on the global map of events. The Secretary General joined national celebrations in Costa Rica and moderated the two virtual panel discussions titled “Time to fast-track restoration of wetlands” organized by the Secretariat for Contracting Parties on 1 February. 

Speakers on the virtual panels, discussed wetland restoration trends, challenges and opportunities, while a representative of the six International Organization Partners of the Convention highlighted seven priority actions for wetland restoration. 

All messages and statements received from partner organizations highlighted the vital role of wetlands for the planet and humanity and called for their protection and restoration.

Members of the general public shared their pledges to act for wetland restoration as well as photographs of wetlands available to view on the World Wetlands Day website.

Between 2 February and 2 March 2023, the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands invited individuals, community organizations and social enterprises to pitch for the grant in 2023 by submitting project ideas or initiatives which seek to conserve, restore, or improve management of wetlands. 

Over 260 project ideas have been submitted to the Secretariat. A jury will review the proposals submitted and select one winning project to receive EUR 10,000 provided by Danone. A project to restore the Govan Wetlands of Glasgow in the United Kingdom, was the recipient of the grant in 2022.

The Secretariat of the Convention of Wetlands is pleased to name Fernanda Samuel of Angola as the first 2023 “Voice for Wetlands”. Ms Samuel received the 2022 Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award for Young Wetland Champions in recognition of her efforts to restore mangroves in Angola and thereby improve livelihoods in her community.

As a “Voice for Wetlands”, Fernanda will use the platform to raise awareness of the value of wetlands and the need for their urgent restoration wherever they have been degraded. 

The UN Water Conference 2023 launched with daunting statistics and a clear message: we are not on track to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation for all.  
 
One of the main outcomes of the Conference was the over 700 commitments towards achieving the Water Action Agenda, capturing actions across sectors, industries and interests. The importance of wetlands for water is highlighted in some of the commitments, such as the Wetlands Conservation Organization’s commitment to improve access to water through peatland restoration and, notably, the Government of Aruba’s commitment to designate more Wetlands of International Importance. The Convention on Wetlands has a key role, as the global intergovernmental framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and co-custodian of Sustainable Development Goal indicator 6.6.1.   
 
The Secretary General of the Convention made a statement in the Plenary session during the General Debate, emphasizing that our water and sustainable development needs cannot be addressed without wetlands. The Secretariat also made contributions to several side events, highlighting how the convention, and materials and guidance prepared under it can catalyse the achievement of the Water Action Agenda. This included the launch of the Freshwater Challenge, and events on collaboration for water resilience, on the role of local government and municipal authorities, as well as media events together with the Convention on Biological Diversity.  
 
The five interactive dialogues of the Conference gave increasing recognition of the importance of wetlands for climate change mitigation and resilience, as well as in urban areas. The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy, to be appointed as an outcome of the Conference, will play a key role in promoting synergies and in achieving the Water Action Agenda.  

On 21 March 2023, the Convention's Youth Working Group hosted an online workshop on Youth Shaping Wetland Conservation. The workshops brought together more than 100 youth participants engaged in wetlands and biodiversity conservation.

The workshop discussed challenges, opportunities and lessons learned in the current youth programmes in multilateral environmental agreements. In addition, it provided an opportunity for participants to explore future actions to strengthen youth engagement in the conservation, restoration and wise use of all wetlands. 

Dr Musonda Mumba, provided her opening remarks during the workshop and stated that young people need to be the driving force in the conservation and restoration of wetlands globally and thanked the Government of Canada for its contribution, which made this workshop possible.

Australia has added Caryapundy Swamp to the List of Wetlands of International Importance. This “Ramsar Site” (no. 2520 on the List) lies within the Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park, in the remote “corner country” of far north-western New South Wales.

It forms a large area of the terminal basin of the Bulloo River, comprising extensive and diverse temporary wetlands, floodplains and creeks.

China has added 18 wetlands to the List of Wetlands of International Importance. The country has now designated 82 such “Ramsar Sites” in total.

The new Sites extend over more than 320,000 hectares, and China now boasts over 7.6 million hectares (76,000 square kilometres) of wetlands under Ramsar protection.

South Africa has named Middelpunt Nature Reserve as its 29th Wetland of International Importance or “Ramsar Site”.

The Reserve (Site no. 2501 on the “Ramsar List”) is located along the headwaters of Lakenvleispruit, a stream in the Olifants River basin, approximately 14 kilometres from the town of Dullstroom in Mpumalanga Province.

France has named La Dombes as its 53rd Wetland of International Importance. This “Ramsar Site” (no.2500 on the “Ramsar List”), adds 47,659 hectares to the total area of French Wetlands of International Importance.

La Dombes features more than 1,200 ponds located on a flat plain north of Lyon. It is a stopover and refuge site for migratory birds, including wintering birds, particularly during cold spells in eastern and northern Europe.

Josiane Aboniyo comes from Rwanda and has professional experience implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects in climate change, environmental management, and chemicals and waste management. Josiane will be providing technical support for Africa in her Junior Professional role.

With a background in communications, David has spent the last 20 years working for the institutions of the European Union communicating EU policies and values. Most recently, he worked for the EU’s foreign and security service, the European External Action Service, specializing in the communication of multilateral and global issues, such as the EU-UN partnership, SDGs, human rights and climate change.