Side event details

Strengthening action on sustainable lifestyles and culture for wise use of wetlands - A key to transformative shifts in Ramsar’s impact
Room
Matetsi
Day and time
26.07.2025 18:30
Lead organization
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India and Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda
Partner organization(s)
(i) Wetlands International South Asia (WISA) (ii) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (iii) Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) (iv) Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (v) Wetland Link International
Details

Ramsar has been a pioneer among environmental Conventions in its recognition of the importance of the cultural values of wetlands, ranging from ancestral knowledge about water management to the role of creative expression in human well-being. In the contemporary context, cultural dimensions are increasingly aligned with the heightened emphasis on sustainable lifestyles, which cultivate a deeper and more responsible relationship between individuals and the natural environment. Adopting sustainable living supports wise wetland use and strengthens traditional practices and community stewardship, which are essential for long-term ecological resilience and cultural continuity. There are now several major strands of new opportunity for revitalising attention to this subject, and benefiting from what it can offer to some innovative and transformative shifts in the Convention's impact in the face of fast-evolving global challenges. In 2021, the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, introduced Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) at COP-26 in Glasgow as a mass movement for mindful and deliberate utilisation instead of mindless and destructive consumption to protect and preserve the environment. Similarly, significant leadership on supporting Parties with implementation of relevant COP Resolutions and collaboration with other bodies such as UNESCO has been given over many years by the Ramsar Culture Network. 

In the side event, a range of eminent voices will provide a guide to latest developments and the springboard that 2025 provides for new energy and new understandings about the relationship between sustainable lifestyles, culture and wetlands. Crucially, it will also be a key occasion at the COP for discussing the Draft Resolutions on Strengthening action on culture and wetland and on promoting sustainable lifestyles for the wise use of wetlands. 

Envisaged outcomes 

  • Updated global overview of latest developments and new opportunities 

  • Learnings from the good practices for upscaling at global level 

  • Solid backing for the Draft Resolutions on culture and sustainable lifestyles 

Moderator – Dr Ritesh Kumar, Wetlands International South Asia and Chris Rostron, MedWetProgramme 

  1. Opening/welcome - Dr Musonda Mumba, Ramsar Secretary General [To be invited]  

  1. Introduction to the new Draft Resolution on promoting sustainable lifestyles for the wise use of wetlands- Mr Rajat Agarwal, National Focal Point, Government of India 

  1. Introduction to the new Draft Resolution on Strengthening action on culture and wetlands - Lucy Iyango, Government of Uganda  

  1. India’s ‘Whole-of-society’ approach: successes & lessons learnt – Dr Ramesh Motipalli, Government of India 

  1. A fresh look at opportunities from a regional perspective - Chris Rostron, Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative  

  1. Discussion involving a widened expert panel, including other regions, Indigenous perspectives, UNESCO, the Ramsar Secretariat and a CEPA specialist  

  1. Conclusion: priorities for future activity - Dr Ritesh Kumar, Wetlands International South Asia and Chris Rostron, MedWetProgramme 

Program
-