Side event details

Urban areas, while covering less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, are home to over half the global population and act as both catalysts for ecosystem degradation and hotspots of vulnerability to its consequences. Despite their dense infrastructure, cities remain dynamic ecosystems that significantly influence human well-being. Healthy urban ecosystems play vital roles in purifying air and water, regulating temperatures, mitigating floods, and offering green spaces for recreation and mental health. However, rapid and often unplanned urbanization continues to erode these benefits, displacing nature with concrete and creating severe challenges for both people and the planet.

Among the most crucial yet threatened urban ecosystems are wetlands. These natural systems function as sponges, absorbing excess rainwater, reducing flood risks, filtering pollutants, storing carbon, and supporting rich biodiversity. Unfortunately, urban wetlands face relentless pressures from land reclamation, pollution, encroachment, and the adverse effects of climate change. To counter this, global frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)—particularly Target 12—emphasize the need to expand and improve the connectivity and quality of urban green and blue spaces, including wetlands. Similarly, the Ramsar Convention underscores their international importance and calls for their sustainable use and protection.

As part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, UNEP’s Generation Restoration project (2023–2025), in collaboration with ICLEI and local partners, aims to scale up urban ecosystem restoration by addressing political, technical, and financial barriers. This initiative integrates ecosystem thinking into urban planning and promotes nature-based solutions that align with the GBF’s goals. One session within this broader effort will explore catchment- and landscape-level wetland restoration, showcasing innovative approaches, financial solutions, and community impacts that strengthen climate adaptation and ecological resilience.

The session also aims to amplify global awareness of wetlands as critical infrastructure for urban sustainability. Key outcomes include boosting advocacy, sharing best practices, aligning policies, and encouraging replication in other cities. Strong local governance, as demonstrated through initiatives like the Wetland City Accreditation scheme, is essential to safeguard these ecosystems. But broader political will and international cooperation are needed to mainstream wetland conservation into urban development agendas.

Ultimately, by prioritizing wetlands in planning, governance, and investment, cities can transform into champions of ecological restoration and sustainable development. This session will inspire action, encourage collaboration, and reinforce that protecting urban wetlands is fundamental to securing a resilient and inclusive future for all.

Programme