Side event details
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that underpin water security, climate resilience, and biodiversity. Yet, they face mounting threats from climate change, overexploitation, and unsustainable development—especially in transboundary, dry, and semi-arid regions. This side-event will highlight Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) as a strategic, no-regret approach to conserve and restore wetlands at the scale of the hydrographic basins of lakes, rivers and associated aquifers. Drawing from global best practices, this event will explore how coordinated basin-wide and cross-border strategies can enhance ecosystem services, mitigate climate impacts, and foster socio-economic benefits.
The session will showcase successful policy frameworks, community-driven projects, and innovative restoration efforts, with a focus on national and transboundary basins from around the world. It will also spotlight the importance of integrating NbS into territorial planning and water governance, in line with global agendas such as the SDGs, the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, Land Degradation Neutrality and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Emphasis will be placed on mobilizing resources, strengthening policy alignment, and encouraging multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral partnerships—including governments, local communities, indigenous groups, and the private sector—to build resilient, sustainable wetland ecosystems.
PROGRAM
Introduction (5 min)
- Cathrine Mutambirwa, Programme Coordinator, LDN and Land Restoration at Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD)
Moderation (5 min)
- Dr. Eric Tardieu, Secretary General, International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO)
Keynote speech (10 min)
- Ms. Musonda Mumba, Secretary general, Ramsar Wetland Convention
Panel (20 min)
- Mr. Felix Ngamlagosi, Executive Secretary, Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM)
- Mrs. Ana Asti, Under-secretary of Water resources and Sustainability, Secretariat of Environment and Sustainability, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Mr. Alfonso De Urresti Longton, Senator, Senate of Chile
Questions & answers (15 min)
Conclusion (5 min)
Florencia D. Vega, National Project Coordinator, Fundación Kennedy, Chile