Side event details

This side event builds on the recommendations of the recent Earth Observation Consultation led by the Secretariat and Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and presents the next steps toward an initiative aimed at supporting the use of Earth Observation for wetland inventory, assessment, and monitoring by the Ramsar Contracting Parties.
Wetlands are essential ecosystems, yet remain underrepresented in environmental datasets and poorly integrated into national planning and reporting frameworks. Earth Observation technologies offer an opportunity to address this gap by enabling transparent, consistent, and scalable monitoring of wetland extent, condition, and changes. However, challenges remain in translating Earth Observation capabilities into actionable data for countries, including gaps in capacity, coordination, and access to fit-for-purpose tools.
Under the umbrella of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the GEO-Wetlands Initiative is being co-designed to meet these challenges head-on. It aims to support Contracting Parties in developing and applying National Wetland Inventories and in aligning Earth Observation applications with biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development commitments.

Envisaged outcomes
This event will highlight key recommendations from the Earth Observation Consultation, provide an update on progress since the Earth Observation Day organised in December 2024 by the Ramsar STRP, and engage participants in shaping the implementation and governance of GEO-Wetlands. It will also explore partnership opportunities with Space Agencies, regional initiatives, and civil society actors.

Relevance to COP discussions
The side-event follows from decision SC63-30 on development of an initiative to foster dialogue, knowledge exchange and guidance for Earth Observation in support of wetland inventory, assessment, monitoring and conservation. It is also advancing the implementation of Resolution XIII.10 and contributes to the development of tools and mechanisms that enable Contracting Parties to fulfill their obligations under the Convention. As COP15 is expected to address progress on National Wetland Inventories, monitoring of Wetlands of International Importance, and alignment with global biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development targets, the GEO-Wetlands initiative provides a concrete, collaborative response to these challenges.

Moderator(s)
Lammert Hilarides (Wetlands International, STRP member)
Ake Rosenqvist (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, STRP Observer)
Marc Paganini (European Space Agency, STRP Observer)
Christian Tottrup (DHI)
Lisa-Maria Rebelo (Digital Earth Africa)
Anis Guelmami (MWO, MedWet)

0:00 - 0:10 - Welcome and opening
0:05 - 0:10 - Leveraging Earth Observation for wise use of wetlands (GEO-Wetlands)
0:10 - 0:34 - Examples and opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation with the EO community (EO4WI, GWW, GMW, InundatedForests/EWVs - 4 x 6 mins)
0:34 - 0:47 - Panel discussion
0:47 - 0:57 - Audience Q&A
0:55 - 1:00 - Closing remarks