Notification
Message from the Secretary General
Date: 25.03.2026
Dear Contracting Parties,
There is a clear sense of momentum at the start of this year, with partnerships deepening and wetlands gaining ground in global discussions. In these early months, that momentum is already translating into concrete action and stronger collaboration across institutions and with you, our Contracting Parties.
Fostering partnerships across all sectors
In recent months, we have seen important progress in how we work with both institutional and private sector partners. In Paris, I met with senior representatives of the Danone Group to advance our partnership, which was renewed in 2025. This collaboration continues to support our outreach and visibility efforts, including important milestones such as World Wetlands Day and the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards to be delivered in 2028 at COP16 in Panama.
During the same mission, I also had the opportunity to meet with the newly appointed Director-General of UNESCO Mr Khaled El Enany. As the depositary of the Convention, UNESCO remains a central partner. Our discussions focused on renewed coordination and identifying new areas of joint work. I am encouraged by the steps already taken to enhance this relationship, including the designation of a liaison officer to support closer engagement with the Secretariat.
This work was further enhanced through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization Dr Celeste Saulo. Developed pursuant to Resolution XIV.6 on enhancing the Convention’s visibility and synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements and other international institutions, this agreement establishes a framework for collaboration linking Earth system monitoring, hydrology, and climate information with wetland conservation and management. It creates new opportunities to strengthen inventories, indicators and reporting, while ensuring that scientific and climate data informs decision-making at national and local levels.
Positioning wetlands within global water and climate discussions
It has been equally important to ensure that wetlands are clearly reflected in emerging discussions on water at the highest level. At the invitation of the Governments of Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, I participated in a high-level preparatory meeting for the 2026 UN Water Conference in Dakar. Anchored in United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/78/327 on the modalities of the 2026 UN Water Conference to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6, I moderated the opening “Water for Planet” dialogue, co-chaired by Egypt and Japan. This provided an opportunity to bring the experience of the Convention and the work of Contracting Parties into the heart of these discussions.
These exchanges reinforced the importance of wetlands in advancing water security, climate adaptation, and ecosystem resilience, and contributed to positioning wetlands more clearly within the global water agenda. This also provided an opportunity for alignment with the COP15 outcomes.
Working to advancing shared priorities
Engagement with Contracting Parties has remained central throughout this period. In Rome, I was honoured to join the Government of Italy in marking World Wetlands Day 2026.
Recognised by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 75/317, this global observance continues to provide an important platform to raise awareness of the role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening resilience to climate change. It also offered an opportunity to deepen engagement with partners and stakeholders, and to highlight the growing global recognition of wetlands as part of the solution to today’s environmental challenges.
I also had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Sibi George, Vice Minister from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, to discuss India’s wetland conservation efforts and ongoing resource mobilisation. These discussions form part of a broader effort to address current budget gaps and to strengthen financial support for the implementation of the Convention’s programme of work.
I continued to engage with the UN Geneva Community, in particular hosting bilateral meetings with various Ambassadors.
Carrying momentum into the next phase of implementation
Across all of these moments, one message has remained clear to me: progress depends on collaboration. Whether through partnerships with international organisations, engagement with the private sector, or continued leadership from Contracting Parties, our collective efforts are what will determine how effectively we can deliver on our shared goals.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
With my warm regards,
Musonda
Secretary General
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Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands
28 rue Mauverney, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 999 0170 |