Notification

Dear Contracting Parties and Partners,

I hope that this message finds you well and in good health. 

As my first term as Secretary General of the Convention on Wetlands comes to a close, it has been a journey that I hold with deep gratitude. I would like to share some reflections on these past three years—for me and for the team at the Secretariat.

When I arrived in Gland, Switzerland on 1st October 2022, after a long career in the field, I knew we were at a turning point. The world’s wetlands—our planet’s kidneys, our climate allies—are still vanishing at alarming rates. Yet they remain among the most powerful solutions we have for climate stability, water security and biodiversity recovery.

Over these three years, I have shared regular updates from the Secretariat and beyond.  Here, rather than repeating details, I want to reflect on how this vision took shape, and what I have learned along the way.

The first months were a baptism of fire: I arrived just six weeks before COP14, the Wuhan–Geneva COP, under the Chinese Presidency. On the margins, I saw so many familiar faces—some I had first met 20 years earlier as an intern at the Secretariat—and many new ones. Listening, talking and observing gave me insights into how best we could support Contracting Parties over the Triennium. 

The Convention had just held its first in-person COP following the Covid-19 pandemic, at a time when multilateralism felt fragile. 

From that starting point, I set out a vision focused on three pillars:

• Visibility (communications and branding)
• Strategic collaboration and
• Resource mobilization. 

I restructured the Secretariat to better serve countries and to work more effectively with partners. The plan we shared with Contracting Parties guided us to explore innovative ways to raise awareness and amplify the Convention. One example was the “Meet and Converse” series with Ambassadors of Geneva Missions. It was an opportunity to reintroduce diplomats to their Treaty and to explain its relevance to countries that are not yet Contracting Parties. Another highlight was launching the new “Women Changemakers in the World of Wetlands” initiative. celebrating women leaders across the globe. Many went on to receive recognition and even funding for their amazing work in their communities. 

Early in my tenure, I met with fellow heads of other MEAs to strengthen collaboration and partnership.  Some I met on the margins of meetings, and others virtually if an in-person meeting was not possible. I also saw how much overlap there was in how countries reported to our MEAs. I made a point of meeting non-state actors active in wetlands work, and their insights shaped how we approached communication and partnerships.

The second year was focused on expanding reach and building new bridges.  During this period, I was engaged in advocacy at the highest level including meeting at least 10 Heads of State to talk about the Convention. I deepened partnerships with UN entities, Civil Society Organizations including our International Organization Partners (IOPs), as well as the private sector. 

The World Wetlands Day campaign was boosted and broadened, making sure that it was celebrated through out the year accompanied by new communication efforts.  As part of the communications strategy, I co-authored several Op-Eds with diverse individuals including MEA heads for dedicated environmental days. 

That year I had the honour of being conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award (Medal) for “Carer of the Earth” by the Uzbek Government, the first time this was conferred to a non-Uzbek. The Government of Finland also included me in its “I was born a girl” campaign, alongside leaders such as former Finnish President Tarja Halonen and former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. 

Our everyday systems and processes within the Secretariat were also strengthened to ensure our governance meetings were delivered smoothly and efficiently.  It was also during this period that we started to intensify our support to Zimbabwe as the next host of COP15 jointly with the Government of China. This included two site visits by the Secretariat team, led by the Deputy Secretary General, and a visit by the Zimbabwean delegation to China to learn from their COP experience.

Our Science and Technical Review Panel (STRP) was also busy at work ironing out the Fifth Strategic Plan in time for COP15 as this is a guiding document of the Convention’s work. 

With the countdown to the COP in motion, we also signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with the European Space Agency (ESA). This was the first time that the Convention formalised an agreement with a space agency, and was particularly timely as the Secretariat was supporting Contracting Parties to prepare National Wetland Inventories that could be enhanced by Earth Observations. 

Discussions within our governance body—the Standing Committee—gained momentum around increasing the Secretariat’s budget. The Secretariat had not seen a budget increase in 15 years, even as demands on our work grew. 

The world met in July 2025 on the edge of Wetland of International Importance, UNESCO World Heritage Site and Wetland City Victoria Falls, for COP15. it was a  momentous occasion that brought together well over 1,300 participants both in person and online. The Meeting was officially opened by His Excellency President Emerson Mnangagwa, joined by two other heads of states and heads of MEAs, UN Entities and partners. 

COP15 adopted the Fifth Strategic Plan (2025-2034), approved a milestone 4.1% increase in the Secretariat budget, and the first Wetland Cities in Latin America (Valdivia, Chile and Trelew, Argentina) and also on the Danube River (Novi Sad, Serbia), among others, were honoured.

These three years provided lessons in resilience, inclusivity and long-term planning. 

As I embark on my second term, much is at stake at a time when multilateralism is shaky. As I look ahead and set the building blocks for the future, I see three priorities. The Global Wetland Outlook 2025 set in motion conversations about the financing of wetlands. Wetlands are not a cost, but natural infrastructure that absorb floods, purify water, capture carbon and provide other ecosystem services worth trillions. We must unlock new streams of finance. This is why we are in discussions with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other funding mechanisms. 

Second, from all the National Reports and information collected from the RSIS, data and technology matter. We cannot save what we cannot measure, and investment in the National Wetlands Inventories is paramount. The Convention has an opportunity to lead on the wetland science and technology frontier at a time when we must improve monitoring, transparency and effectiveness. Technology can also sharpen how we address and respond to emerging threats. 

And third, it is critical to mainstream wetlands into National Economic Planning.  Natural Capital must become part of planning and innovation—and our approach must remain people-centred, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

At this stage, the Convention needs to move from pledges to action. COP15 cemented the power and need of multilateralism in these complex times. Wetlands also remind us that nature knows no borders. 

As we look to World Wetlands Day 2026, my wish is that this day and year becomes a true call to action—not only for communities, but also for businesses, schools, citizens and leaders. I envision us telling our collective stories through film, art and digital campaigns to reveal that wetlands are truly the superheroes of nature. 

Thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in me and Secretariat team as we forge ahead in the next three years. We will anchor our ambition in pragmatism, and we count on your support and feedback on how to serve Contracting Parties better. 

I continue to embrace the Sprit of Ubuntu knowing too well that I am, because WE ARE. 

Thank You,

Dr Musonda Mumba
Secretary General

Convention on Wetlands